Thermosphere Contraction Puzzles Scientists 200
The thermosphere layer of earth's atmosphere begins 80 to 90 kilometers above the surface and extends several hundred kilometers into the sky; it is the home to numerous satellites and the International Space Station. It is known that the thermosphere occasionally cools and contracts, but a recent study of satellite orbital decay (due to light atmospheric drag) found that the contraction during 2008 and 2009 was significantly more severe than expected, leaving researchers at a loss for how to explain it. From Space.com:
"This type of collapse is not rare, but its magnitude shocked scientists. 'This is the biggest contraction of the thermosphere in at least 43 years,' said John Emmert of the Naval Research Lab, lead author of a paper announcing the finding in the June 19 issue of the journal Geophysical Research Letters. 'It's a Space Age record.' The collapse occurred during a period of relative solar inactivity — called a solar minimum from 2008 to 2009. These minimums are known to cool and contract the thermosphere, however, the recent collapse was two to three times greater than low solar activity could explain."
No good can come from this discussion (Score:3, Insightful)
The first 4 comments show as much.
I'm confused. (Score:5, Insightful)
On the one hand, it's reported this is not rare. On the other hand, we've got plenty of sensationalistic language: "significantly more severe", "researchers at a loss", "collapse", "its magnitude shocked scientists".
So, is it the usual news cycle hype reporting on a puzzling phenomenon, or is there a reason to be alarmed?
Re:Very easy to explain.. (Score:1, Insightful)
Environmentalists won't stop until everybody is forced to move into huge city centre apartment blocks and not allowed to consume any energy other than for their government-supplied 'nettop' used for delivering propaganda and possibly one CFL bulb.
The good life is being regulated out of existence at an alarming rate in the name of security, safety and now 'protecting' the environment. Driving a car is almost considered a sin at this stage because not only is a 'mere human' driver being passed of as a danger to others and their children but they are also accused of ruining the environment. It won't stop until we are all forced to live in a purely receptive society where no individual is allowed to think for himself, just sit there in that cell with one CFL waiting for instructions from the government.
Re:Not temperature - density (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Great (Score:4, Insightful)
Are we talking about the same Artic ice [uaf.edu] here. It's quite understandable that ice melts at summer. There's anything special about this year.
Meanwhile in Antarctic [nsidc.org]. At the end of June, Southern Hemisphere mid-winter, the sea ice surrounding Antarctica was more than two standard deviations greater than normal.
Re:I'm confused. (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Great (Score:3, Insightful)
The Earth isn't a closed system.
I'm not sure if you noticed, but there's a rather big flaming ball of hydrogen in the sky.
That should have been explained in high school as well.
Re:Great (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Are we really sure about CO2? (Score:3, Insightful)
You realize that the possible effects of CO2 on the thermosphere, and the effects of CO2 on global climate are two completely different discussions ?
Re:Very easy to explain.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Very easy to explain.. (Score:3, Insightful)
So, is the issue that my perception of the accepted hypotheses is flawed, or is yours? Or is the issue that the ignorant reporters don't actually present things in a consistent manner, so attributing scientific perceptions to newspaper articles is going to result in an inconsistent message? Personally, I'd assert that the reporting is crap. They think they know what they are supposed to be reporting, so they say that, regardless of the truth. Remember, news isn't done to spread knowledge, but to sell advertising. So more eyes equals more income, so the news tends to the sensationalistic, not the sensible.
Re:Very easy to explain.. (Score:5, Insightful)
We had 8 months of winter in Europe, with record snow down to Spain and temperatures lower than they were in the last 30 years. Were constantly reminded that it was a seasonal event, weather, that had nothing to do with climate.
After a mere 3 weeks of summer, with record hot temperatures, the media is already reviving the global warming mantra.
Here in the US, the conservative pundits declared global warming a hoax this past winter when we had record snowfalls. Now we're having record heat this summer and the conservative pundits haven't said a word. Media stupidity about global climate change goes both ways.
Re:Very easy to explain.. (Score:1, Insightful)
You're having a good life now; naturally, you don't want this to change (who would?).
But, we live in a century with a different outlook than last century. Our lifestyle and resource use will adapt to changing circumstances, one way or the other (by voluntarily changing our lifestyle or not). You don't want this to happen, because you have a conservative outlook, and you think these changes will negatively impact your quality of life.
You're making a major mistake in your thinking though, in that you attribute those lifestyle changes to force from outside from your fellow human beings, in the form of government oppression, taxes, propaganda, and the Evil Environmentalists.
These lifestyle changes are *NOT* mandated by your government and Evil Environmentalists. They are mandated by changes in the milieu which we inhabit. These changes are real, and no amount of blaming other people or demanding conservative policies from your government will influence these changes. The mechanism of global warming is already in motion and will continue for the next 500 years or so. All we can do now, is slow down the effects that will be felt several generations down the line, when the effects of our current behaviour will be manifested.
It is my belief, that by far most of the people who care about living responsibly (like ADULTS!) on our planet, do this because we live a good life, and we would like our descendents to be given the same opportunity as well.
I'm not out to destroy your good life. I'm not out to tax you and ask you to change your lifestyle just out of spite because we "hate your good life". I just think that it is achievable to live comfortably in the twenty-first century and you, sir, don't.
Anonymous, because frankly, I think you're a paranoid nutcase.