Electron rain’ falling to Earth could be hazardous to satellites, spacecraft and astronauts, scientists say
Scientists have discovered a new source of ‘electron rain’ that is showering Earth with particles, a phenomena that could have a hazardous effect on satellites, spacecraft and astronauts. Rapid “electron precipitation” is caused by whistler waves, a type of electromagnetic wave that ripples through plasma in space and affects electrons in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Researchers …