Scientists probe characteristics of a form of plasma wave identified in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists probe characteristics of a form of plasma wave identified in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri” published in PIB on 18th April 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have identified Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri.

What are Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves?

EMIC are a form of plasma waves observed in the Earth’s magnetosphere.

These waves play an important role in the precipitation of killer electrons (electrons having speed close to the speed of light, which form the radiation belt of planet Earth), which are hazardous to our space-borne technology/instruments. 

The study of these waves can help understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low-orbiting satellites.

What is Plasma?

Plasma is the fourth state of matter. More than 99% of the matter in the visible universe consists of plasma. 

Our Sun, solar wind, the interplanetary medium, near-Earth region, magnetosphere and upper part of our atmosphere all consist of plasma.

The study of plasma waves provides us with information on regions inaccessible to us, transport mass and energy across different regions, how they interact with charged particles, and control the overall dynamics of the Earth’s magnetosphere.

What is Magnetosphere?

A magnetosphere is a region around a planet dominated by the planet’s magnetic field. Other planets in our solar system have magnetospheres, but Earth has the strongest one of all the rocky planets.

Earth’s magnetosphere is a vast, comet-shaped bubble, which has played a crucial role in our planet’s habitability. The magnetosphere shields our planet from solar and cosmic particle radiation, as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind – the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the sun.