NASA Confirms Existence of Earth's Third Energy Field

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NASA researchers have confirmed the existence of a third energy field around Earth, known as the ambipolar electric field, ending over 50 years of speculation. This discovery was made through the Endurance mission, which measured this weak electric field that significantly expands Earth's ionosphere and drives the polar wind.

The idea of this additional energy field first emerged in the 1960s when scientists noticed a mysterious wind of supersonic protons escaping Earth's atmosphere over the poles. The energy source propelling these particles against gravity remained unknown until now.

Launched in May 2022 from Spitzbergen, Norway, the Endurance mission was equipped with highly sensitive photoelectron spectrometers and reached an altitude of 768 kilometers. The mission detected a potential drop of +0.55 volts, providing clear evidence of the ambipolar electric field. Although this voltage is small—similar to a watch battery—it’s enough to accelerate hydrogen ions with 10.6 times the force of gravity, launching them into space and expanding the ionosphere by 271%.

This field is now thought to exist on any planet with an atmosphere, raising new questions about its impact on planetary evolution. While this discovery marks a significant advance, scientists recognize that many questions remain, such as the field's origins and its role in Earth's atmospheric development over time.