The Engineer

Project studies electrons in the Van Allen radiation belt

News

Scientists at Lancaster University are working with colleagues at the British Antarctic Survey on a £400,000 project to understand how particles from space affect the Earth’s atmosphere.

They aim to find out more about the behaviour of electrons in the Van Allen radiation belt around the Earth, which can damage orbiting satellites and spacecraft.

The Van Allen radiation belt periodically discharges energetic particles such as electrons and ions into the high atmosphere above Earth, especially at the polar regions. This can change the chemistry of the atmosphere, with possible implications for climate change.

Dr Mick Denton from the Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science (SPEARS) group at the Department of Physics at Lancaster University said: ‘It’s still a mystery how much the radiation belt is affecting Earth and how much of an impact it has. We have no clear understanding of what causes the radiation belt to come and go. This is also a serious problem for satellites in orbit that can be damaged by such energetic particles.’

The five-year project will see two radio receivers installed in Antarctica as part of a global network of receivers set up by the AARDDVARK consortium of international universities from Australia to South Africa and Hungary.

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.  

Benefits of registering

  • In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends

  • Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year

  • Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address