Magnetic reconnection is a process where magnetic lines rearrange themselves, releasing energy in the process. A NASA mission is starting today in order to better understand this phenomenon and how it may affect our satellites floating out in space.
The mission, dubbed the Magnetsopheric Multiscale (MSS), will send four satellites directly into the thick of things in order to study the effects of magnetic reconnection. The plan will be to place each satellite directly in the path of these events to get the best possible information.
“MMS is going to actually fly in Earth’s magnetosphere, this protective magnetic environment around the Earth,” said Jeff Newmark, who is acting as interim director at NASA’s heliophysics division.
It’s the first mission dedicated solely to magnetic reconnection and the cost is put at a total of $1.1 billion dollars. While that might seem a staggering figure, the possibility of gaining information to protect future satellites far outweighs the immediate cost.
Magnetic reconnection works like this: Think of a magnet with the typically positive and negative end. A magnetic line connects to each end. Occasionally, these lines will “snap” and immediately reform. While it is known that an immense amount of energy is either lost or shot outward at nearly the speed of light from these “snaps”, the actual amount is still unknown.
This process can be brought to gigantic proportions. Magnetic reconnection is the process behind solar flares, a force roughly equal to 160 billion megatons of TNT. In addition, it can cause coronal mass ejections, where the Sun shoots out bunches of particles at an exceedingly alarming rate. While the Earth is protected by its own magnetic sphere, these particles are what can cause damage to satellites.
In a smaller sense, this is what happens with the aforementioned auroras. Reconnection in the Earth’s magnetosphere can push particles downwards: thus the creation of those beautiful lights. In a not so advantageous situation, these particles can also result in shorting of power grids and blackouts.
Since this is the first time NASA is sending a mission with the intention of studying this phenomenon, astronomers are ready for anything. You can watch the launch here at 8:00pm EST, or catch the live coverage via NASA TV.
