From satellites malfunctioning to strange flashing lights seen by
From satellites malfunctioning to strange flashing lights seen by

astronauts on the International Space Station
astronauts on the International Space Station

there's something odd happening in certain parts of space close to Earth
there's something odd happening in certain parts of space close to Earth

and the cause of these effects could have wide-ranging impacts on all of us
and the cause of these effects could have wide-ranging impacts on all of us

in the future. In February 2016 the state-of-the-art Japanese x-ray
in the future. In February 2016 the state-of-the-art Japanese x-ray

Observatory Hitomi launched atop of Mitsubishi rocket into a circular orbit
Observatory Hitomi launched atop of Mitsubishi rocket into a circular orbit

570 km above Earth its mission was to study high-energy
570 km above Earth its mission was to study high-energy

processes like black holes and supernovae in clusters of distant
processes like black holes and supernovae in clusters of distant

galaxies but after just a month of successful operations the Japanese space
galaxies but after just a month of successful operations the Japanese space

agency JAXA announced that on the 26th of March they had suddenly lost
agency JAXA announced that on the 26th of March they had suddenly lost

communications with Hitomi, worse the satellite was in an uncontrollable spin,
communications with Hitomi, worse the satellite was in an uncontrollable spin,

attempts by the internal guidance system to correct the rotation only made the
attempts by the internal guidance system to correct the rotation only made the

problem worse, turning it faster and faster until the
problem worse, turning it faster and faster until the

solar panels broke away leaving Hitomi without power. On the 28th of April 2016
solar panels broke away leaving Hitomi without power. On the 28th of April 2016

after a month of attempts to try and re-establish communications JAXA
after a month of attempts to try and re-establish communications JAXA

declared the $273 million dollar Space Observatory lost but what was the cause
declared the $273 million dollar Space Observatory lost but what was the cause

of Hitomi's demise. The answer lies in the peculiar pattern of radiation which
of Hitomi's demise. The answer lies in the peculiar pattern of radiation which

surrounds the earth discovered in 1958 by the first US satellite. The American
surrounds the earth discovered in 1958 by the first US satellite. The American

physicist James Van Alen proposed fitting Explorer 1 with a Geiger
physicist James Van Alen proposed fitting Explorer 1 with a Geiger

counter attached to a small tape recorder to measure radiation levels
counter attached to a small tape recorder to measure radiation levels

above the atmosphere. Sure enough Explorer 1 observed
above the atmosphere. Sure enough Explorer 1 observed

distinct patterns of radiation during its 111 day mission these became known
distinct patterns of radiation during its 111 day mission these became known

as the Van Allen belts donut-shaped fields of energized particles emitted
as the Van Allen belts donut-shaped fields of energized particles emitted

from a Sun and trapped by the Earth's magnetic field.
from a Sun and trapped by the Earth's magnetic field.

In fact the radiation belts were discovered by Sputnik 2 just over two
In fact the radiation belts were discovered by Sputnik 2 just over two

months before the American Explorer 1, however due to sputnik's trajectory over
months before the American Explorer 1, however due to sputnik's trajectory over

foreign territory and the secrecy around the mission, it meant that when the
foreign territory and the secrecy around the mission, it meant that when the

signals were picked up by the Australians
signals were picked up by the Australians

the two sides refused to talk to each other and the Australians refused to
the two sides refused to talk to each other and the Australians refused to

pass the data on. When the Soviets finally got their hands on the data they
pass the data on. When the Soviets finally got their hands on the data they

mistakenly thought that the spikes in the radiation were a result of a recent
mistakenly thought that the spikes in the radiation were a result of a recent

solar flare and by the time they figured out the real reason, the American Van
solar flare and by the time they figured out the real reason, the American Van

Allen team had announced the discovery. There are two main concentrations of
Allen team had announced the discovery. There are two main concentrations of

radiation surrounding the earth an inner radiation belt made up of mostly
radiation surrounding the earth an inner radiation belt made up of mostly

energized protons that peaks at around 2,900 km and
energized protons that peaks at around 2,900 km and

an outer radiation belt mostly consisting of electrons of peaks at
an outer radiation belt mostly consisting of electrons of peaks at

around at altitude of 16,000 kilometers. The Van Allen belts are
around at altitude of 16,000 kilometers. The Van Allen belts are

responsible for Aurora's such as the northern and southern lights where they
responsible for Aurora's such as the northern and southern lights where they

meet the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles and channel charged
meet the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles and channel charged

particles into the upper atmosphere it's here that they react with atmospheric
particles into the upper atmosphere it's here that they react with atmospheric

gases and form the colorful displays. The most common Aurora color a pale
gases and form the colorful displays. The most common Aurora color a pale

yellowish green is produced by oxygen molecules located about a 100 km
yellowish green is produced by oxygen molecules located about a 100 km

above the earth. Rare all red Aurora's are produced by high-altitude
above the earth. Rare all red Aurora's are produced by high-altitude

oxygen at heights of up to 330 km and nitrogen produces blue or
oxygen at heights of up to 330 km and nitrogen produces blue or

purplish red Aurora's. But orbital surveys revealed another large area
purplish red Aurora's. But orbital surveys revealed another large area

where strong radiation dips down to just 200 kilometers above the Earth's surface
where strong radiation dips down to just 200 kilometers above the Earth's surface

over a continent-sized area above the Atlantic coast of South America. This is
over a continent-sized area above the Atlantic coast of South America. This is

known as the South Atlantic anomaly or the cosmic Bermuda Triangle and it's
known as the South Atlantic anomaly or the cosmic Bermuda Triangle and it's

this that is the cause of a strange effects on both the human body and
this that is the cause of a strange effects on both the human body and

robotic spacecraft. In the 1960s and 70s spacecraft in orbit relied upon early
robotic spacecraft. In the 1960s and 70s spacecraft in orbit relied upon early

computer chips which had much larger transistor sizes and were less sensitive
computer chips which had much larger transistor sizes and were less sensitive

to the bombardment of charged particles this electronic toughness was especially
to the bombardment of charged particles this electronic toughness was especially

important for the Apollo missions which had to cross the Van Allen belt and
important for the Apollo missions which had to cross the Van Allen belt and

leave for protection of Earth's magnetic field. But during the missions the
leave for protection of Earth's magnetic field. But during the missions the

astronauts reported seeing spots and streaks of light which
astronauts reported seeing spots and streaks of light which

continue to flash even when they close their eyes. These visual effects are
continue to flash even when they close their eyes. These visual effects are

called phosphenes and a 2006 survey of astronauts found at 47 out of 59
called phosphenes and a 2006 survey of astronauts found at 47 out of 59

respondents had experienced them, some even reporting the lights had disturbed
respondents had experienced them, some even reporting the lights had disturbed

their sleep.Although humans haven't crossed the Van Allen belts since
their sleep.Although humans haven't crossed the Van Allen belts since

December 1972, all spacecraft that passed through the South Atlantic anomaly
December 1972, all spacecraft that passed through the South Atlantic anomaly

experienced an increased dose of radiation of up to a thousand times the
experienced an increased dose of radiation of up to a thousand times the

usual levels for low Earth orbits. To deal with this the International Space
usual levels for low Earth orbits. To deal with this the International Space

Station is fitted with shielding that protects astronauts from some of the
Station is fitted with shielding that protects astronauts from some of the

increased radiation when passing through the anomaly. Even so, the crew on the ISS
increased radiation when passing through the anomaly. Even so, the crew on the ISS

each wear personal dosimeters and electronic devices often suffer lock ups
each wear personal dosimeters and electronic devices often suffer lock ups

or failures known as single event upsets these are more common with consumer
or failures known as single event upsets these are more common with consumer

grade electronics like laptops which are brought with the crew which are built to
grade electronics like laptops which are brought with the crew which are built to

less demanding specifications than space or military-grade components which are
less demanding specifications than space or military-grade components which are

radiation hardened. Since the space shuttle missions, astronauts have
radiation hardened. Since the space shuttle missions, astronauts have

reported laptop failures over the South Atlantic,
reported laptop failures over the South Atlantic,

fortunately the fix is usually a simple reboot. One way to shield against
fortunately the fix is usually a simple reboot. One way to shield against

high-energy charged particles is to use water good, yep, old-fashioned water makes an
high-energy charged particles is to use water good, yep, old-fashioned water makes an

excellent shield against ions electrons and protons due to its high hydrogen
excellent shield against ions electrons and protons due to its high hydrogen

content. Some astronauts have even taken to lining their sleeping areas with
content. Some astronauts have even taken to lining their sleeping areas with

water bags and even their dosimeters to reduce their total exposure number to
water bags and even their dosimeters to reduce their total exposure number to

get longer and more frequent missions but of course at their own risk of
get longer and more frequent missions but of course at their own risk of

greater radiation exposure. However the Space Telescope's like
greater radiation exposure. However the Space Telescope's like

Hubble depend upon highly sensitive electronics to capture light from
Hubble depend upon highly sensitive electronics to capture light from

distant galaxies. As Hubble passes through the South Atlantic anomaly
distant galaxies. As Hubble passes through the South Atlantic anomaly

operators routinely switch off imaging sensors to avoid damaging them, however
operators routinely switch off imaging sensors to avoid damaging them, however

one of Hubble's cameras the Wide Field Camera 3 can still function in this
one of Hubble's cameras the Wide Field Camera 3 can still function in this

portion of the orbit but the image is still register for characteristics
portion of the orbit but the image is still register for characteristics

speckling of a radiation artifacts. Hitomi's light-gathering sensors were
speckling of a radiation artifacts. Hitomi's light-gathering sensors were

ultimately found to be the cause of the failure cascade that led to the loss of
ultimately found to be the cause of the failure cascade that led to the loss of

Japanese satellite. When passing through the South Atlantic anomaly the star
Japanese satellite. When passing through the South Atlantic anomaly the star

tracker which is used to orientate the craft with a known fixed point suffered
tracker which is used to orientate the craft with a known fixed point suffered

a series of glitches causing the satellite to switch to backup gyroscopic
a series of glitches causing the satellite to switch to backup gyroscopic

instrumentation, which also then failed. Being on the opposite side to earth from
instrumentation, which also then failed. Being on the opposite side to earth from

Japan and out of direct communication with Mission Control the error was only
Japan and out of direct communication with Mission Control the error was only

discovered after it was too late. To avoid similar losses in future space
discovered after it was too late. To avoid similar losses in future space

agencies are pursuing two strategies, first to better understand. The South
agencies are pursuing two strategies, first to better understand. The South

Atlantic anomaly itself and to make satellite electronics more resilient to
Atlantic anomaly itself and to make satellite electronics more resilient to

the effects of radiation as they pass through the danger zone. But the South
the effects of radiation as they pass through the danger zone. But the South

Atlantic anomaly is not a stationary phenomena, since 1958 scientists have
Atlantic anomaly is not a stationary phenomena, since 1958 scientists have

observed that the anomaly has been increasing in size and is also gradually
observed that the anomaly has been increasing in size and is also gradually

moving northward and westward this is in line with both the North and the South
moving northward and westward this is in line with both the North and the South

Poles which are constantly moving around. Over the last 150 years the North Pole
Poles which are constantly moving around. Over the last 150 years the North Pole

has moved over a 1000 kilometers and has recently accelerated to 40 km
has moved over a 1000 kilometers and has recently accelerated to 40 km

a year and the magnetic South Pole is now over a 1000 kilometers
a year and the magnetic South Pole is now over a 1000 kilometers

away from a geographic South Pole. But there isn't just one anomaly either, in
away from a geographic South Pole. But there isn't just one anomaly either, in

fact there are many smaller ones scattered around the globe. The European
fact there are many smaller ones scattered around the globe. The European

Space Agency is currently mapping these changes with the swarm mission which
Space Agency is currently mapping these changes with the swarm mission which

launched three small satellites into polar orbits. Two of the swarm satellites
launched three small satellites into polar orbits. Two of the swarm satellites

orbits side-by-side at an altitude of 450 kilometers and one orbits at a
orbits side-by-side at an altitude of 450 kilometers and one orbits at a

higher altitude of 530 kilometers swarm has tracked fluctuations in the Earth's
higher altitude of 530 kilometers swarm has tracked fluctuations in the Earth's

magnetic field since 2014 and the data has revealed strange weather systems
magnetic field since 2014 and the data has revealed strange weather systems

deep beneath our feet that could be to blame for the spreading footprint of a
deep beneath our feet that could be to blame for the spreading footprint of a

South Atlantic anomaly. Beneath 2,900 kilometers of crust
South Atlantic anomaly. Beneath 2,900 kilometers of crust

and mantel our planets core is in two parts, a central core of solid iron nickel alloy
and mantel our planets core is in two parts, a central core of solid iron nickel alloy

about the size of a moon and at 4,500 degrees centigrade
about the size of a moon and at 4,500 degrees centigrade

that's as hot as the surface of an orange star like Arcturus and yet
that's as hot as the surface of an orange star like Arcturus and yet

solid due to the immense pressure of 50 million pounds per square inch bearing
solid due to the immense pressure of 50 million pounds per square inch bearing

down on it. The second outer core is molten and
down on it. The second outer core is molten and

about the size of Mars and fully envelops the inner core. As the planet
about the size of Mars and fully envelops the inner core. As the planet

spins it's the movement of this molten metal outer core which is responsible
spins it's the movement of this molten metal outer core which is responsible

for the generation of a magnetic field. As the outer core is molten iron and is
for the generation of a magnetic field. As the outer core is molten iron and is

a liquid it is affected by the Coriolis forces that come from a spinning earth
a liquid it is affected by the Coriolis forces that come from a spinning earth

these forces create chaotic movement any outer core much like the weather in our
these forces create chaotic movement any outer core much like the weather in our

atmosphere and also like our weather, this outer core weather is driven by
atmosphere and also like our weather, this outer core weather is driven by

hate but instead of heat from the Sun its heat from the inner core. This sets
hate but instead of heat from the Sun its heat from the inner core. This sets

up massive convection currents combined with the swirling effects of a Coriolis
up massive convection currents combined with the swirling effects of a Coriolis

forces it creates weather systems and storms
forces it creates weather systems and storms

within the molten outer core. These storms create new temporary magnetic
within the molten outer core. These storms create new temporary magnetic

poles that can be opposite to the surrounding area. This is what the South
poles that can be opposite to the surrounding area. This is what the South

Atlantic anomaly is, it's a pole reversal and as such it negates the effect of a
Atlantic anomaly is, it's a pole reversal and as such it negates the effect of a

magnetic field around it, weakening it and allowing charged particles to come
magnetic field around it, weakening it and allowing charged particles to come

much closer to Earth. Like atmospheric storms these outer core storms can also
much closer to Earth. Like atmospheric storms these outer core storms can also

merge and become larger which is how the South Atlantic anomaly is believed to
merge and become larger which is how the South Atlantic anomaly is believed to

have grown in strength. The swarm mission also has identified a molten iron jet
have grown in strength. The swarm mission also has identified a molten iron jet

stream within the outer core flowing westwards beneath Alaska and
stream within the outer core flowing westwards beneath Alaska and

Siberia a speed around 50 kilometers per year. Although this may not sound a lot,
Siberia a speed around 50 kilometers per year. Although this may not sound a lot,

this dense flow of iron takes a huge amount of energy to move and is
this dense flow of iron takes a huge amount of energy to move and is

estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old. This increasingly chaotic
estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old. This increasingly chaotic

behavior in the outer core is thought to be the prelude to a complete
behavior in the outer core is thought to be the prelude to a complete

pole reversal something which has happened hundreds of times before in
pole reversal something which has happened hundreds of times before in

Earth's history about every 250,000 years although the last time it happened
Earth's history about every 250,000 years although the last time it happened

was over 750 thousand years ago so it looks like we are due for another pole
was over 750 thousand years ago so it looks like we are due for another pole

reversal any time. Although a pole reversal takes several thousand years to
reversal any time. Although a pole reversal takes several thousand years to

complete during this time the Earth's magnetic field would weaken considerably
complete during this time the Earth's magnetic field would weaken considerably

and might consist of multiple north and south poles spread anywhere around the
and might consist of multiple north and south poles spread anywhere around the

globe. A weaker magnetic field would bring
globe. A weaker magnetic field would bring

charged particles closer to the earth and could create ozone holes like that
charged particles closer to the earth and could create ozone holes like that

which formed over the South Pole a few decades ago. This would increase the
which formed over the South Pole a few decades ago. This would increase the

level of ultraviolet light getting through and increase the risk of things like
level of ultraviolet light getting through and increase the risk of things like

skin cancer. It would also leave us more susceptible to solar storms which could
skin cancer. It would also leave us more susceptible to solar storms which could

wreak havoc with the world's electrical power grid. By finding more weather
wreak havoc with the world's electrical power grid. By finding more weather

patterns in the core, swarm will help predict the future shape and behavior of
patterns in the core, swarm will help predict the future shape and behavior of

Earth's magnetic field but in any case building tougher satellites is said to
Earth's magnetic field but in any case building tougher satellites is said to

be big business in the coming decades as we see a surge in a number of small SATs.
be big business in the coming decades as we see a surge in a number of small SATs.

By launching networks of miniaturized satellites into low-earth orbits,
By launching networks of miniaturized satellites into low-earth orbits,

governments and commercial satellite operators aim to replace heavy and
governments and commercial satellite operators aim to replace heavy and

expensive geostationary satellites at a fraction of the cost. Small SATs usually
expensive geostationary satellites at a fraction of the cost. Small SATs usually

orbit below most of the radiation of the inner Van Allen belt and avoid the
orbit below most of the radiation of the inner Van Allen belt and avoid the

long-term degradation of electrics found on geostationary satellites which
long-term degradation of electrics found on geostationary satellites which

operate within the outer ventolin belt. However, small SATs have another problem
operate within the outer ventolin belt. However, small SATs have another problem

they frequently pass through the South Atlantic anomaly. One company working on
they frequently pass through the South Atlantic anomaly. One company working on

the problem is Thales Alenia space, a French-Italian aerospace company who are
the problem is Thales Alenia space, a French-Italian aerospace company who are

Europe's largest satellite manufacturer. They are pioneering the use of gallium
Europe's largest satellite manufacturer. They are pioneering the use of gallium

nitride on silicon chips which operate at higher voltages and temperatures than
nitride on silicon chips which operate at higher voltages and temperatures than

regular silicon chips, offering increased protection against radiation. In
regular silicon chips, offering increased protection against radiation. In

commercial applications the loss of several nodes in a satellite network
commercial applications the loss of several nodes in a satellite network

would be an inconvenience, however if military satellite operators
would be an inconvenience, however if military satellite operators

transition from geostationary to low-earth orbits more stats then the
transition from geostationary to low-earth orbits more stats then the

effects of the South Atlantic anomaly could introduce a significant
effects of the South Atlantic anomaly could introduce a significant

vulnerability especially after solar storms. Whichever
vulnerability especially after solar storms. Whichever

way we go what is happening deep beneath our feet is going to affect what happens
way we go what is happening deep beneath our feet is going to affect what happens

high above us and ultimately what happens here on earth so we need to take
high above us and ultimately what happens here on earth so we need to take

steps to be prepared. So what's your thoughts about the growing instability
steps to be prepared. So what's your thoughts about the growing instability

in the outer core and what do you think we should do to counter its possible
in the outer core and what do you think we should do to counter its possible

effects on our way of life let me know in the comments below. Don't forget you
effects on our way of life let me know in the comments below. Don't forget you

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