A strange anomaly in the Earth’s magnetic field arouses particularly the interest of NASA at this time. This is a huge region in the sky above the planet that has a lower than normal magnetic intensity. This region stretches between South America and southwestern Africa.
This phenomenon, baptized South Atlantic Anomaly (AAS), has intrigued and preoccupied scientists for years. And now NASA has decided to take a special interest in it.
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A phenomenon that disrupts spacecraft in low Earth orbit
L’South Atlantic Anomaly (AAS) does not generally affect life on Earth, but it does tend to disrupt orbiting spacecraft, which pass directly through the anomaly by circling the planet at low Earth orbit altitudes. And this also includes the International space station. Hence the surveillance of AAS by NASA which wants to find a way to mitigate the risks.
Scientists do not yet fully understand the anomaly and its implications. But new knowledge is continually shedding light on this strange phenomenon. This is the case ofa study conducted in 2016 by the NASA heliophysicist Ashley Greeley. This study reveals that the AAS slowly drifts in a northwest direction.
But the AAS is not only on the move, it also appears to be splitting in two. The researchers have indeed discovered this year that the South Atlantic Anomaly seemed to divide into two separate cells, each representing a distinct area of minimum magnetic strength within the larger anomaly.
A puzzling evolution of the South Atlantic Anomaly
The movement and the split of the AAS puzzled scientists who still do not know what it will lead in the future. Nonetheless, there is some evidence to suggest that this phenomenon is not new. Indeed according to a published study last month, the anomaly would be a recurring magnetic event that first appeared 11 million years ago.
Either way, there are still many questions to be answered about the South Atlantic Anomaly. And with everything going on with this magnetic quirk, one can only be reassured to know that the world’s most powerful space agency is watching her closely.
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