disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only
Posted on 12/17/2008 9:00:14 PM PST by tricky_k_1972
NASA: Ionosphere not where it should bedisclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only |
Washington (UPI) Dec 17, 2008
The U.S. space agency says it has discovered the boundary between the Earth's upper atmosphere and space has moved to extraordinarily low altitudes.
The finding was determined by National Aeronautics and Space Administration instruments aboard an Air Force satellite launched in April. The instruments, including ion and neutral sensors, make measurements of the variations in neutral and ion densities and drifts that can result in disruptions of navigation and communication signals.
But the first discovery was that the ionosphere was not where it had been expected to be. During the first months of the satellite's operations, the transition between the ionosphere and space was found to be at about 260 miles altitude during the nighttime, barely rising above 500 miles during the day. Those altitudes, said NASA, were extraordinarily low compared with the more typical values of 400 miles during the nighttime and 600 miles during the day.
NASA said the discovery by the satellite -- subsequently determined to have been launched during the quietest solar minimum since the space age began -- is providing a unique opportunity to study the connection between the interior dynamics of the sun and the response of the Earth's space environment.
This much decrease in the Ionosphere hasn't happened to this great extent in quite a while, you might have heard of it(from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunder_minimum):
The Maunder Minimum is the name given to the period roughly from 1645 to 1715, when sunspots became exceedingly rare, as noted by solar observers of the time. It is named after the solar astronomer Edward W. Maunder (1851–1928) who discovered the dearth of sunspots during that period by studying records from those years. During one 30-year period within the Maunder Minimum, for example, astronomers observed only about 50 sunspots, as opposed to a more typical 40,000–50,000 spots.
AKA, The Little Ice Age
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
The sky is falling!
I wonder how long before one of those idiot ‘warmers’ say this is somehow the fault of human activity.
Get ready for a new tax to move the Ionosphere to “where it should be.”
-PJ
2nded
Bush’s fault.
> NASA: Ionosphere not where it should be
We shall take this up with the Almighty at His next performance review. Misplacing the Ionosphere is clearly unacceptable behavior, and a recurrence of this will not be tolerated. We shall further advise Him that a copy of this will be forwarded to AlGore Inventor of the Internet(R) who shall make final determination as to whether further disciplinary and punitive action is warranted. Such action may or may not involve formal warning and/or termination of employment contract.
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
So, are they saying in fancy language that the universe has it’s own rhythm? Atmosphere’s adjusting to changes as necessary?
The worst part is that we radio operators have to pay attention to families now, and catch up on the honey-do list. And it will be longer and colder this time.
Sunspots are our friends. And they are on holiday....
/johnny
You can bet your last dollar that carbon dioxide will NOT help put it "where it should be".
No, really, it’s falling!
Literally.! Ha!
We’re toast.
Has anyone seen the ionosphere? It’s not where it should be...
It’s just where it belongs, just not where NASA wants it to be!
If they had inteligence they wouldn’t be working for government.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.