NASA Discovers Third Radiation Belt Circling Earth

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NASA Discovers Third Radiation Belt Circling Earth

Posted by Soulskill on Friday March 1, 2013 @06:04AM from the three!-three-radiation-belts!-ah-ah-ah! dept.

An anonymous reader sends word that NASA scientists using the Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) about the Van Allen Probes have discovered a third radiation belt surrounding Earth. Scientists have been aware of the Van Allen radiation belts since the 1950s, but it was thought that there were only two of them. The probes were sent up to simply map the belts in fine detail; the discovery of a third belt was a complete surprise. Deputy mission scientist Shri Kanekal said, "By the fifth day REPT was on, we could plot out our observations and watch the formation of a third radiation belt. We started wondering if there was something wrong with our instruments. We checked everything, but there was nothing wrong with them. The third belt persisted beautifully, day after day, week after week, for four weeks." Part of the reason they caught a glimpse of this belt was that they turned the REPT on early, so it would overlap with another probe that had reached end-of-life and was about to de-orbit. If they hadn't decided to do so, or if the REPT hadn't worked perfectly, we still might be in the dark about a third Van Allen belt.

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Old Man Earth is getting old by mcgrew · 2013-03-01 06:09 · Score: 5, Funny

Maybe he should trade one of those belts for a pair of suspenders?

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1. Re:Old Man Earth is getting old by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 10:38 · Score: 0
  
  So Old Man Earth is into cross-dressing now eh?
Interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 06:15 · Score: 0

I wonder if this changes the effects of coronal mass ejections and solar wind? It will be interesting to see what comes of this news.
1. Re:Interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 06:23 · Score: 0
  
  Gee, you sound smart.
2. Re:Interesting by radiumsoup · 2013-03-01 06:33 · Score: 1
  
  the effects would be the same, because the 3rd belt has (presumably) always been there... it's just that our understanding of the effects might change in light of the new data.
3. Re:Interesting by Antipater · 2013-03-01 06:50 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  The third belt has not always been there, nor is it there now. It was blasted away by a solar shock wave a few weeks after they noticed it. The guess is that a solar shock wave is what created it in the first place, too.
  
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  Everything is better with chainsaws.
4. Re:Interesting by fbumg · 2013-03-01 07:37 · Score: 1
  
  This was more funny when I read it as a reply to the "Old Man Earth..." comment above it. I thought you were carrying on the old-man funny-ness, with "coronal mass ejections" implying an old man spending too much time on the toilet. And the "solar wind" a reference to him farting. Now I realize you were serious, that's too bad. And no, I am not 10 years old, I merely think like one.
  
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  I know I don't know what I don't know.
5. Re:Interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 07:56 · Score: 0
  
  I think your cart is in front of your horse there, buddy. How could the belts affect the sun? It's the other way around.
6. Re:Interesting by khallow · 2013-03-01 08:24 · Score: 0
  
  How could the belts affect the sun?
  
  Putting on sunscreen lotion doesn't change the Sun either, but it does change how the Sun affects you.
7. Re:Interesting by dreamchaser · 2013-03-01 10:37 · Score: 1
  
  If this is somehow related to Global Warming, it is entirely possible that the belt has formed recently and could continue to intensify. Regardless of it's origins, it could mean additional protection for earth and spectacular auroras.
  Please explain how any warming of the Earth's atmosphere could be related to the radiation belts that are produced, presumably, by our magnetic field, which has no connection to how warm or cold the air is. I know you're trolling but I could use the LOL's when you try to explain that.
  It was just discovered. It has most likely been there for a long, long time. Most likely since long before mammals arrived.
8. Re:Interesting by arkane1234 · 2013-03-01 10:44 · Score: 1
  
  Just as much as a piece of cat fur will put out a house fire...
  
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9. Re:Interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-02 05:18 · Score: 0
  
  How convenient!
Gratifying - by Darth+Snowshoe · 2013-03-01 06:25 · Score: 5, Interesting

I worked on this spaceship for ~3 years. Let me say that it's very gratifying that it found something, and especially that it found something nobody was expecting. I'm much relieved.
1. Re:Gratifying - by geekoid · 2013-03-01 06:30 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  where is the:
  +1 worked on actual spacecraft mod?
  
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2. Re:Gratifying - by ackthpt · 2013-03-01 06:45 · Score: 1
  
  I worked on this spaceship for ~3 years. Let me say that it's very gratifying that it found something, and especially that it found something nobody was expecting. I'm much relieved.
  It's always a plus to find something you weren't looking for. Hope it succeeds on its primary mission as well.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
3. Re:Gratifying - by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 07:03 · Score: 0
  
  That is one of the best feelings in science, the accidental discoveries.
  Even today there are still many accidental discoveries happening in so many different fields.
  I hope to be around for many of those accidents making the lives of people better in the near future.
  Metamaterials especially have a huge potential to completely change so much tech on the large and small-scales.
  From making structures to guide waves around water structures to guiding EM waves to a hyper-efficient solar cell, and maybe even ways to prevent damage from earthquakes even more. (admittedly the last one will require some changes to a lot of building foundations, but given quakes, might not need to wait too long... )
4. Re:Gratifying - by CanHasDIY · 2013-03-01 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  I worked on this spaceship for ~3 years. Let me say that it's very gratifying that it found something, and especially that it found something nobody was expecting. I'm much relieved.
  It's always a plus to find something you weren't looking for.
  Obviously not a regular viewer of water based horror films...
  
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  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
5. Re:Gratifying - by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 08:25 · Score: 0
  
  It must have been cramped trying to work in that tiny spacecraft for three years. I hope the food was good.
6. Re:Gratifying - by fermion · 2013-03-01 09:40 · Score: 1
  
  What I learned doing this was that space always has a surprise. You may think that you understand how thing work away from earth, but all too often predictions fall short.
  
  --
  "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
7. Re:Gratifying - by RivenAleem · 2013-03-04 01:55 · Score: 1
  
  Given the user's name, are you sure that's a +1 mod?
More Proof by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 06:25 · Score: 2, Funny

More proof that man never went to the moon.
1. Re:More Proof by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-03-01 06:33 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  More proof that man never went to the moon.
  The Apollo trans-lunar trajectories skimmed that region of space almost completely. Your silly comment is like blaming Columbus for not having discovered Australia.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
2. Re:More Proof by H0p313ss · 2013-03-01 10:32 · Score: 2
  
  ... or America for that matter.
  However, for discovering the Bahamas he's one of my heros.
  
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  XML is a known as a key material required to create SMD: Software of Mass Destruction
3. Re:More Proof by WillgasM · 2013-03-01 10:54 · Score: 1
  
  Where the hell's our Leif Ericson day?
Is REPT playing Star Castle? by Picass0 · 2013-03-01 06:26 · Score: 2

We had a third belt and then we didn't... gamers are at fault.
1. Re:Is REPT playing Star Castle? by steelfood · 2013-03-01 07:42 · Score: 1
  
  gamers are at fault.
  What, they stopped eating pizza and started exercising?
  
  --
  "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
Van Allen belts...Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea by dywolf · 2013-03-01 06:27 · Score: 3, Interesting

Reminds me of one of my favorite movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyage_to_the_Bottom_of_the_Sea
Yes, I know, the plot is typical 50's non-science (using a nuclear missile to amputate the Van Allen belts from earth because they caught fire....). But i still like it.

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The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.
So let's see... by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2013-03-01 06:28 · Score: 1

We've got the Van Allen belt... what are the other two, Van Morrison and Van Johnson?

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#DeleteChrome
1. Re:So let's see... by ackthpt · 2013-03-01 06:44 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  We've got the Van Allen belt... what are the other two, Van Morrison and Van Johnson?
  the one responsible for lightning is Van de Graaff
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
2. Re:So let's see... by cyberchondriac · 2013-03-01 06:57 · Score: 2
  
  I cast a vote for Van Halen
  
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3. Re:So let's see... by Chrutil · 2013-03-01 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  We've got the Van Allen belt... what are the other two, Van Morrison and Van Johnson?
  Let's hope it stays at three so we don't get a Van Damme belt as well.
4. Re:So let's see... by sehlat · 2013-03-01 07:18 · Score: 1
  
  This third one is just Van Ordinaire
5. Re:So let's see... by sconeu · 2013-03-01 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  Van Cliburn.
  That's where the "Music of the Spheres" comes from.
  
  --
  General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
6. Re:So let's see... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 08:06 · Score: 0
  
  Well, I change your vote to "Van Hagar" - so there.
7. Re:So let's see... by FatLittleMonkey · 2013-03-01 13:53 · Score: 1
  
  That should be David Lee Roth, because the new ring is apparently not in the group any more.
  
  --
  Science is all about firing a drunk pig out of a cannon just to see what happens.
Meanwhile on CNN... by Kaenneth · 2013-03-01 06:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Was this 3rd belt caused by Fukashima or Global Warming?
1. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by mjr167 · 2013-03-01 06:40 · Score: 1
  
  Clearly it was Bush.
2. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 06:52 · Score: 0
  
  No, that's MSNBC.
3. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by asylumx · 2013-03-01 07:51 · Score: 2
  
  Nah, CNN will allow their opinion articles to blame both Bush and Obama as long as it gets them viewers. Meanwhile, Fox will explicitly blame Obama and MSNBC will claim it's Bush's fault.
4. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by steelfood · 2013-03-01 08:32 · Score: 1
  
  And how will it impact your Monday morning commute?
  
  --
  "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
5. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by arkane1234 · 2013-03-01 10:48 · Score: 1
  
  And Fox News... Obama budget fiasco stops NASA from keeping radiation belt away from earth.
  
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6. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by FatLittleMonkey · 2013-03-01 13:57 · Score: 1
  
  "Since the beginning of the Obama presidency, radiation around the Earth has actually increased. So much for the Liberal Green Agenda from this Environmentalist-In-Chief. Can our planet survive four more years of this, or Is it finally time for Obama to go? You decide."
  
  --
  Science is all about firing a drunk pig out of a cannon just to see what happens.
7. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by AlabamaCajun · 2013-03-01 16:15 · Score: 1
  
  No, the Vulcans put it there to teach us how to build a warp drive.
8. Re:Meanwhile on CNN... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 21:12 · Score: 0
  
  I blame gay weddings, gun control and Obama bin Laden.
How many of these are not artificial? by tokul · 2013-03-01 06:37 · Score: 1

Which belts are not created by some bomb test?
1. Re:How many of these are not artificial? by mjr167 · 2013-03-01 06:41 · Score: 2
  
  Considering we don't generally detonate nuclear bombs in orbit around the planet... I would say all of them.
2. Re:How many of these are not artificial? by idontgno · 2013-03-01 07:06 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  And even when we do, the radiation belt created doesn't last long. Five years in the case of the Starfish Prime artificial belt. Probably because the belt isn't caused by or reinforced by solar particle flux, so the trapped particles leak over time.
  
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3. Re:How many of these are not artificial? by arkane1234 · 2013-03-01 10:50 · Score: 1
  
  Someone needs to look at the sheer scale of what's being talked about...
  A nuclear bomb is very small comparedly. Very very very small.
  
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4. Re:How many of these are not artificial? by FatLittleMonkey · 2013-03-01 14:00 · Score: 1
  
  Someone else needs to read up on Starfish Prime. We can and did influence these systems.
  
  --
  Science is all about firing a drunk pig out of a cannon just to see what happens.
5. Re:How many of these are not artificial? by cffrost · 2013-03-01 17:18 · Score: 1
  
  While briefly on the topic of high-altitude nuclear detonations, check out this photo of the ground illumination from the 3.8MT Hardtack Teak shot, 77km (48mi) above. For comparison, Starfish Prime was 1.4MT at an altitude of 400km (250mi).
  
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  "Arguments from authority are worthless." —Carl Sagan
And old too by ThatsNotPudding · 2013-03-01 06:40 · Score: 2

Look how high up that belt is!
Due to Global Warming by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 06:55 · Score: 0

Radioactive Hydrogen due to Global Warming.
More belts than Final Fantasy by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 07:11 · Score: 0

What I find most intriguing, is how radiation intesified the field and created MORE belts.
Imagine the implications if we knew how this would happen (and this is what the probes are for). Imagine fluctuating radiation belts on manned spacecraft that could strengthen when in contact with radiation. Making interstellar flight even safer for the passengers.
And eventually... the USS Enterprice NCC-1701
Daydreaming aside, there could be a lot of practical uses on-planet. Like shielding against cosmic rays, etc.
Which one is the new one? by Ungrounded+Lightning · 2013-03-01 07:31 · Score: 2

Unless I missed it, it's not clear from TFA which of the three belts shown in the map is the "new", intermittent belt.
I'm guessing it's the inner one (which I'd expect to decay from encounters with the very tenuous upper atmosphere). But I'd like to know for sure.

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1. Re:Which one is the new one? by Antipater · 2013-03-01 08:09 · Score: 2
  
  It's the outermost one. TFA is disappointing because it reads more like a beg for funding than an informative look at the new belt. Here's yesterday's NBC article on the subject.
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
2. Re:Which one is the new one? by Antipater · 2013-03-01 08:15 · Score: 1
  
  Er...or not. I actually just checked the numbers, and the altitude given for the newfound belt (19-22km) would put it as the middle one. Bah.
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
3. Re:Which one is the new one? by Antipater · 2013-03-01 08:18 · Score: 1
  
  19-22 thousand km. I'm really bad at this today.
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
Implications by Roachie · 2013-03-01 08:03 · Score: 1

What can we draw from this with regards to that tea kettle that is in orbit up there?

--
This sig is not paradoxical or ironic.
1. Re:Implications by cffrost · 2013-03-01 17:24 · Score: 1
  
  What can we draw from this with regards to that tea kettle that is in orbit up there?
  You mean Russell's? Hasn't been spotted; agnostics are awaiting further news.
  
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  Thank you, Edward Snowden.
  
  "Arguments from authority are worthless." —Carl Sagan
Darn it... by Kiralan · 2013-03-01 08:12 · Score: 1

Break out the Moon-based neuralizer! Everyone has just found out about the "Ark Net" shield! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409024/plotsummary?ref_=tt_stry_pl

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NASA by Vincent+Bucchieri · 2013-03-01 10:41 · Score: 1

Props to NASA for continuing expanding knowledge beyond what we know about the universe.
Not a "third belt" by yusing · 2013-03-01 12:24 · Score: 2

Not a "third belt" at all. A temporary "third concentration" within the Van Allen belt, yes. The lower concentration is blamed on cosmic ray neutron=>proton interactions, the upper concentration to atmospheric and solar electrons. The belt was already known to consist of some concentration of energetic particles from 250-20,000 km. Naturally that varies at various levels as incoming particles are pulled into the magnetosphere.

--
"You must try to forget all you have learned. You must begin to dream." -- Sherwood Anderson
Wow, a third belt! by wakeboarder · 2013-03-01 14:03 · Score: 1

Is it really a 'third' belt if it goes away and the other two don't. I guess third belt sounds way more exciting in the news than another radiation belt mode.
Van Halen belt ? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-01 22:27 · Score: 0

Wow, it rocks !
Re:Informative by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-03 04:14 · Score: 0

RTFA? WTF!
Re:Relief by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-03 04:20 · Score: 0

I felt great relief when my son was born intact with standard digits, etcetera. Other than that I have never had such a success.
Congratulations.
DLR by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-03 06:52 · Score: 0

This will be the Roth belt.