Impact of Gamma-Ray Burst on Earth’s Ionosphere

Context:

Recent research indicates that a gamma-ray burst (GRB) triggered by a supernova explosion in a galaxy nearly two billion light-years away has caused a significant disruption in the ionosphere of Earth.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Findings from the Research on Gamma-Ray Burst
2. Gamma-Ray Bursts: A Brief Overview
3. Ionosphere

Key Findings from the Research on Gamma-Ray Burst

Supernova Explosion and Gamma-Ray Release

• Temporal Context:
  • Approximately two billion years ago, a supernova explosion occurred in a distant galaxy outside the Milky Way.
  • The explosion unleashed a substantial surge of gamma rays into the cosmos.
• Journey to Earth:
  • Over the span of two billion years, the gamma rays traveled through space, reaching Earth in 2022.

Utilization of China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES)

• Observational Tool:
  • The effects of the gamma-ray burst were examined using the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES), also known as Zhangheng.
  • Launched in 2018, the satellite carried the Electric Field Detector (EFD) instrument, offering unprecedented resolution for analysis.

Impact on Earth’s Ionosphere

• Ionosphere Disturbance:
  • The gamma-ray burst induced a remarkable disruption in Earth’s ionosphere.
  • The ionosphere, situated 30-600 miles above the planet’s surface, exhibited significant variations.
• Detection Timeframe:
  • The disturbance was detected in October 2022.

Multi-Satellite Observations

• Collaborative Monitoring:
  • The European Space Agency’s Integral and various satellites in proximity to Earth recorded the impact.
  • Observations revealed a strong variation in the electric field of the ionosphere.

Duration and Aftereffects

• Gamma Ray Persistence:
  • The gamma rays lingered for approximately 13 minutes.
• Extended Impact Period:
  • Despite the short duration of the gamma rays, the disturbance in the ionosphere persisted for several hours.
• Global Effects:
  • The impact even triggered lightning detectors in India.

Record-Breaking Potency

• Unprecedented Potency:
  • Scientists identified this gamma-ray burst as the most potent ever recorded.

Gamma-Ray Bursts: A Brief Overview

Definition and Characteristics

• Nature of Gamma-Ray Bursts:
  • Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brief explosions of gamma rays, representing the most energetic form of light.
• Duration and Brightness:
  • Lasting from milliseconds to hours, GRBs shine hundreds of times brighter than typical supernovae.
  • They are about a million trillion times as bright as the Sun.
• Observational Location:
  • Observed in distant galaxies, GRBs are the brightest electromagnetic events known in the universe.

Classification of Gamma-Ray Bursts

• Long- and Short-Duration Events:
  • Astronomers categorize GRBs into long- and short-duration events.
  • Long-duration bursts, associated with massive star deaths in supernovae, last from 2 seconds to several hours.
  • Short-duration bursts, lasting less than 2 seconds, result from events like the merger of neutron stars or a neutron star with a black hole.
• Common Outcome:
  • Regardless of type, both long and short-duration events lead to the creation of a new black hole.

Ionosphere:

• Geographical Location:
  • The ionosphere is situated in Earth’s upper atmosphere, spanning an altitude of approximately 30 to 600 miles (50 to 950 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface.
• Ionization Process:
  • Ionized by solar radiation, the ionosphere forms a layer of charged particles.
• Dynamic Sensitivity:
  • Highly sensitive to changing magnetic and electrical conditions in space, often influenced by solar activity.
  • Expands and contracts in response to solar radiation.

Significance of the Ionosphere

• Radio Propagation:
  • Influences the propagation of radio waves, reflecting and refracting them back to Earth.
  • Enables long-distance communication through radio transmissions.
• Solar Radiation Shield:
  • Acts as a protective shield against harmful solar radiation, particularly extreme ultraviolet rays from the sun.
• Auroras Formation:
  • Interactions between charged particles in the ionosphere and Earth’s magnetic field result in phenomena like auroras.
  • Auroras are luminous displays predominantly seen at high latitudes.

-Source: Indian Express