An international research team, led by scientists from the Chinese mainland, has made a groundbreaking discovery of chorus waves more than 160,000 km away from Earth. This space phenomenon was previously believed to occur only near Earth’s dipole magnetic field regions, as detailed in a study published in Nature on Thursday.
\"We observed chorus waves with frequencies below 100 Hz. When we converted the chorus waves into audio output, we obtained a piece of 'space chorus' that we can hear,\" explained Liu Chengming from Beihang University, the study’s first author. He described the sound as reminiscent of \"the chirping of birds.\"
The Earth's magnetic field extends far into space, and when charged particles pass through it, they can excite chorus waves—electromagnetic waves that mimic the sound of morning bird songs. Known as some of the most intense electromagnetic fluctuations in space, chorus waves have been a key focus in space physics research, largely confined to regions near Earth's magnetic field.
The diverse team, including researchers from the United States and Sweden, analyzed extensive data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, a solar-terrestrial probe mission. Their analysis revealed the presence of chorus waves far beyond previously known areas, offering a new theoretical explanation centered on nonlinear wave-particle interactions.
Chorus waves are pivotal in addressing fundamental questions in space science and have significant practical implications. They play a crucial role in accelerating high-energy electrons in Earth's radiation belts and generating pulsating auroras in polar regions. Moreover, these waves can influence space weather, posing risks to the stable operation of spacecraft and the health of astronauts.
The team’s findings provide essential theoretical support for more precise modeling and forecasting of space weather, advancing our ability to predict and mitigate its effects, according to the study.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
