Scientists have solve a 60 - year - old mystery about Earth ’s Van Allen radiation belts , thanks to a lilliputian orbit satellite .
direct by student from the University of Colorado Boulder and write inNature , the study search at the author of gumptious negatron in Earth ’s inner radioactivity belt , near its inner edge .
The Van Allen belts are two declamatory belt of radiation that skirt Earth . Since their discovery in 1958 , no one had been sure where the high-pitched - energy electrons total from .
In this field of study , the researchers suggest they belike develop from supernovae . In a outgrowth hollo “ cosmic irradiation albedo neutron decay ” ( CRAND ) , they propose that cosmic ray from these explosive consequence enter Earth ’s atmosphere and collide with neutron atoms .
In good turn , this creates a “ spatter ” , producing charged mote like electrons that are then trapped by Earth ’s magnetised theatre . These are then lock into the Van Allen belt , leading to what we see today .
“ We are reporting the first direct detection of these gumptious electron near the inner boundary of Earth ’s radiation belt,”saidProfessor Xinlin Li , the survey ’s star author . “ We have finally clear a six - decade - retentive mystery . ”
Energetic electron can pose a problem for cosmonaut on a spacewalk , while they can also damage satellites that are in domain . well understanding where they come from can avail us forecast their arriver in near - worldly concern space .
The finding was made possible thanks to a CubeSat call the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment ( CSSWE ) . CubeSats are little satellites about the size of a loaf of bread . This special satellite was plunge back in September 2012 on an Atlas V rocket engine .
On table the satellite was an instrument shout the Relativistic , Electron and Proton Telescope . As the CubeSat revolve Earth out to 777 klick ( 483 miles ) above the surface , it compile data on the interaction between our atmosphere and the Van Allen knock . The satellite ran out of power in December 2014 .
“ This is really a beautiful result and a big insight derived from a signally inexpensive student satellite , illustrate that skillful things can fare in small bundle , ” aver study co - writer Daniel Baker .
