Ever wonder what Earth sounds like from space? If so, then wonder no more, as NASA has recorded an “Earthsong Chorus” with a pair of spacecrafts in the radiation belt. Technically speaking, it’s “an electromagnetic phenomenon caused by plasma waves in Earth’s radiation belts.” Continue reading for the video and more information.
Chorus is made of radio waves that oscillate at acoustic frequencies, between 0 and 10 kHz. The magnetic search coil antennas of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes are designed to detect these kinds of waves. “Chorus emissions are front and center for the Storm Probe mission,” says Kletzing. “They are thought to be one of the most important waves for energizing the electrons that make up the outer radiation belt.”
Many electrons in the radiation belts are harmless, with too little energy to do damage to human or electronic systems. But, sometimes, these electrons can catch a chorus wave, like a surfer riding a wave on Earth, and gain enough energy to become dangerous – or so researchers think.
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