C-shaped plasma bubbles form due to low-density pockets and magnetic field lines interaction with terrestrial winds
Findings could improve understanding of space weather and impact on Earth's upper atmosphere and communication systems
NASA's GOLD mission discovers X and C-shaped formations in Earth's ionosphere
X-shaped formations occur during solar storms, volcanic eruptions, and quieter times
NASA's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission has discovered unusual X and C shaped formations in the Earth's ionosphere, which is located hundreds of miles above the planet's surface. These formations have been observed during both disturbed conditions caused by solar storms or volcanic eruptions, as well as during quieter times. The ionosphere is a crucial part of Earth's atmosphere that extends from 50 to 400 miles overhead and plays a significant role in communications and navigation signals through radio waves and GPS. Scientists are now investigating the causes behind these formations, which could shed light on the complex dynamics of the ionosphere.
X-shaped formations occur when plasma crests merge following solar storms or large volcanic eruptions. However, recent observations by NASA have shown that X shapes can also appear during quieter times without any significant disturbance. This finding suggests that there may be localized driving factors at play.
C-shaped plasma bubbles are another intriguing discovery in the ionosphere. These bubbles form when low-density pockets occur due to the setting Sun, and they can curve into C shapes when magnetic field lines interact with terrestrial winds. New observations show that close pairings of C-shaped and reverse-C-shaped plasma bubbles indicate strong turbulence in the ionosphere.
The GOLD mission, led by researchers from the University of Colorado, has provided valuable insights into these mysterious formations. The team's findings could help improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth's upper atmosphere and communication systems.
NASA’s GOLD mission has revealed unexpected C- and X-shaped formations in the ionosphere
GOLD monitors crests and bubbles in the ionosphere over extended periods due to its geostationary orbit
Unexpected X-shaped crests have been observed even during quiet conditions
Computer models suggest changes in the lower atmosphere may be responsible for forming X shapes during quiet time
GOLD has found C-shaped plasma bubbles that are shaped by terrestrial winds and reverse-C shapes formed by winds decreasing with altitude
GOLD observed close pairings of C-shaped and reverse-C-shaped plasma bubbles, suggesting strong turbulence in the atmosphere is likely
Accuracy
X shapes form in the ionosphere when plasma crests merge following solar storms or large volcanic eruptions.
Some bubbles in the ionosphere can curve into C shapes and appear in close proximity to each other
Deception
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None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains some instances of informal fallacies, specifically appeals to surprise and appeal to ignorance. The author expresses surprise at the unexpected appearance of C- and X-shaped formations in the ionosphere during quiet conditions, implying that these appearances are unusual or noteworthy without providing any context or evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the author states that 'computer models suggest' that changes in the lower atmosphere could be responsible for forming X shapes during quiet time, but does not provide any evidence or citations to support this claim. This can be considered an appeal to ignorance as the author is making assumptions about the causes of these phenomena without providing concrete evidence.
Who knew Earth’s upper atmosphere was like alphabet soup?
But now, GOLD has seen an X shape form on multiple occasions when there were no such disturbances – what scientists refer to as ‘quiet time.’
Computer models suggest that the X could develop when changes in the lower atmosphere pull plasma downward.
Most plasma bubbles appear long and straight, forming along magnetic field lines. But some bubbles are curved into C shapes and reverse-C shapes, which scientists think are shaped by terrestrial winds. Computer models suggest a C-shape forms if winds increase with altitude at the magnetic equator and a reverse-C forms if the winds decrease with altitude.
Within that close proximity, these two opposite-shaped plasma bubbles had never been thought of, never been imaged.
To have wind patterns change course in such a small area, Karan thinks some sort of strong turbulence – like a vortex, wind shear, or tornado-like activity – is likely at play in the atmosphere.
NASA scientists identified X and C shaped structures in Earth's ionosphere using the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) imaging instrument.
X shapes form in the ionosphere when plasma crests merge following solar storms or large volcanic eruptions.
C shaped bubbles were previously thought to be created by winds on Earth but have been observed close together in the ionosphere, suggesting more localised factors are at play.
NASA discovered unusual X and C shaped formations in the Earth’s ionosphere, hundreds of miles above the planet’s surface
Larger disturbances such as solar storms or volcanic eruptions can cause X shaped formations in the ionosphere
During quiet time, scientists have observed X shaped formations without any significant disturbance
Accuracy
NASA discovered unusual X and C shaped formations in the Earth's ionosphere, hundreds of miles above the planet's surface
X shapes form in the ionosphere when plasma crests merge following solar storms or large volcanic eruptions.
New observations from NASA’s Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission revealed X-shaped formations during quiet periods.
An X-shaped formation in the ionosphere was observed during quiet time, suggesting localized driving factors are involved.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes no explicit fallacious statements in the article. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority that border on being fallacies. The author uses the term 'baffling' to describe the findings and refers to NASA's term of 'alphabet soup'. While this does not constitute a formal fallacy, it can be seen as an attempt to evoke emotion in the reader. Additionally, the author quotes NASA scientists making statements about their findings and interpretations. This is not a fallacy but should be noted as potential sources of bias.
][baffling] [[1]]
[[NASA termed the findings] 'alphabet soup'][[1]]
[University of Colorado research associate Fazlul Laskar said]
[NASA scientist and ionosphere expert Jeffrey Klenzing added]
New observations from NASA's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission revealed X-shaped formations during quiet periods.
Computer models suggest that churning in the lower atmosphere may cause plasma to merge into X-shapes during quiet periods.
Bubble structures in the ionosphere can also form letters, specifically C or reverse C shapes.
Plasma bubbles have been found incredibly close together in the ionosphere, indicating significant turbulence.
Accuracy
X-shaped structures can occur without intense solar activity or volcanic eruptions.
C shaped bubbles were previously thought to be created by winds on Earth but have been observed close together in the ionosphere, suggesting more localised factors are at play.
NASA’s GOLD mission has revealed unexpected C- and X-shaped formations in the ionosphere.
These alphabetical shapes have been observed before, but GOLD sees them more clearly than other instruments and finds them where and when scientists didn’t expect.
An X-shaped formation in the ionosphere was observed during quiet time, suggesting localized driving factors are involved.
C-shaped plasma bubbles have been found to point to strong turbulence in the ionosphere.
Accuracy
An X-shaped formation in the ionosphere was observed during quiet time.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(90%)
There are no formal fallacies present in the article. However, there is an appeal to authority and some inflammatory rhetoric. The author references previous observations and computer models as evidence for their claims, which is an appeal to authority. Additionally, phrases like 'more to learn about the ionosphere' and 'something else must be involved in forming these X shapes' use inflammatory language to grab the reader's attention.
The ionosphere is sensitive to disturbances from both space and terrestrial weather. GOLD has previously revealed that after a solar storm or huge volcanic eruption, the crests in the ionosphere can merge to form an X shape...
These unexpected appearances tell scientists that something else must be involved in forming these X shapes.
C-shaped and reverse-C-shaped plasma bubbles appearing surprisingly close together in the ionosphere on Oct. 12, 1987, and Dec. 26, 2003...
The X is odd because it implies that there are far more localized driving factors... This is expected during the extreme events, but seeing it during 'quiet time' suggests that the lower atmosphere activity is significantly driving the ionospheric structure.
