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Earth's Plasma Plume Unveiled

Earth's invisible shield protects atmosphere
Solar wind heats and expands the auroral oval, sometimes to mid-continent.
Plasma fountain spews 50 tons a day into space.
Yet, previous spacecraft have found the polar caps to be EMPTY!
POLAR/TIDE-PSI show the caps are overflowing with plasma.
Who cares? You will, when the lights go out!

Return to Plasmas Can't Hide From Neutralized Tide


November 20, 1996

Authors: Dave Dooling, B.L. Giles
Curator: Linda Porter
NASA Official: Gregory S. Wilson