Scientists discover new electric field in Earth’s atmosphere

A weak electric field has been detected in Earth’s atmosphere, confirming a theory scientists have held for decades. This ambipolar electric field, although weak at only 0.55 volts, could play a crucial role in shaping Earth’s atmospheric evolution and its ability to support life, according to recent findings. Glyn Collinson, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, led the Endurance rocket mission, which successfully measured this field over Svalbard, Norway, in May 2022. Collinson has described this field as a ‘planetary energy field’ that had until now escaped scientific measurement.

How the Ambipolar Field Affects Earth’s Atmosphere

The presence of this field is thought to explain a phenomenon observed decades ago: the polar wind. When sunlight strikes atoms in the upper atmosphere, it can cause negatively charged electrons to break free and drift into space, leaving the heavier, positively charged oxygen ions behind. To maintain one electrically neutral atmospherea weak electric field is formed, which binds these particles together and prevents electrons from escaping. This weak field has been shown to provide energy to lighter ions, such as hydrogen, allowing them to break away from Earth’s gravity and contribute to the polar wind.

This ambipolar electric field could have consequences for the habitability of planets. David Brain, a planetary scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, noted that understanding how such fields vary between planets could shed light on why Earth has remained habitable compared to planets like Mars and Venus. Although both Mars and Venus have electric fields, the absence of a global magnetic field on those planets allowed more of their atmospheres to escape into space, potentially significantly changing their climate.

Further research planned

NASA recently approved a follow-on mission with a rocket called Resolute, which is expected to launch soon. Collinson believes continued research into planetary electric fields could help answer fundamental questions about why Earth supports life while other planets do not.