Scientists discover new electric field vital for life in Earth’s atmosphere

A faint electric field has been detected in Earth’s atmosphere, confirming a theory scientists have held for decades. According to recent findings, this dipole electric field, although weak at only 0.55 volts, may play a key role in shaping Earth’s atmospheric evolution and its ability to support life. Atmospheric scientist Glynn Collinson of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center led the Endurance rocket mission, which successfully measured this field over Svalbard, Norway, in May 2022. Collinson described this region as a “planetary energy field” that had until now eluded scientific measurement.

How does the bipolar zone affect Earth’s atmosphere

It is believed that the presence of this region explains a phenomenon observed decades ago – the polar wind. When sunlight hits atoms in the upper atmosphere, the negatively charged electrons are released into space, while the heavier, positively charged oxygen ions remain. To maintain an electrically neutral environment, a mild electric field is created, which binds these particles together and prevents electrons from escaping. This weak field has been shown to provide energy to light ions such as hydrogen, enabling them to break free from Earth’s gravity and contribute to the polar wind.

This dipole electric field may have an impact on the habitability of planets. Understanding how such regions vary across different planets could shed light on why Earth remains habitable compared to planets like Mars and Venus, said planetary scientist David Brain of the University of Colorado Boulder. Although Mars and Venus both have electric fields, the absence of a global magnetic field on those planets allowed more of their atmospheres to escape into space, potentially altering their climates significantly.

Further research planned

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