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Marshall Space Flight Center
We've
learned that Earth's atmosphere is protected from the solar
wind by our magnetosphere. Even so, some solar wind energy
does enter our magnetosphere and atmosphere and can cause
a small amount of our atmosphere to be launched into space.
We need to understand this loss of our atmosphere in order
to understand our planet's environmental stability over
a long time period.
Solar
wind energy in our magnetosphere can also cause what are
known as space plasma storms. These storms can cause communication
and science satellites to fail. They can also cause damage
to electric power systems on the surface of the Earth.
A large
space storm in 1989 made currents on the ground that caused
a failure in the Hydro-Quebec electric power system. This
prevented 6 million people in Canada and the US from having
electricity for over 9 hours. The same storm caused the
atmosphere to inflate and dragged the LDEF satellite to
a lower orbit earlier than expected.
The
Space Plasma Physics Branch at Marshall Space Flight Center
devotes its time to understanding the magnetosphere around
Earth and around other planets. Our work will help NASA
predict space plasma storms so that we may protect our satellites
and electric power systems. Our work will also help to preserve
this important part of Earth's enironment.
Mitch
Battros
Producer - Earth Changes TV
http://www.earthchangesTV.com
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