NASA has discovered strange X-shaped structures in the Earth's upper atmosphere that could harm radio and GPS signals

The U.S. space agency NASA has discovered unusual X-shaped structures in the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists warn that they can harm radio and GPS signals.

Scientists explain these strange fluctuations as if the Earth is trying to communicate with other planets without even realizing it. NASA has even discovered massive alphabetical X and C formations on the surface of our planet, which are visible from space, writes DailyMail.

Scientists say the mysterious structures are made up of charged particles in the upper part of the Earth's atmosphere, called the "ionosphere," which covers about 80-600 km above the Earth's surface. It is in this area that our planet's atmosphere meets space, which allows radio signals to travel long distances. Therefore, these fluctuations can interfere with communication and navigation signals, affecting work on Earth.

Observations by NASA's GOLD mission show that the crests of the unknown signals merge to form an X and C shape.

Earth's upper atmosphere looks like an alphabet soup

"The GOLD mission has discovered unexpected C- and X-shaped formations in the electrified layer of gas high above our heads called the ionosphere. Their unexpected appearance proves that we have much more to learn about the ionosphere and its impact on the communication and navigation signals that travel through it," NASA said in a statement.

The ionosphere becomes electrically charged during the day when sunlight hits our planet and its energy bounces electrons off atoms and molecules. This creates a "soup" of charged particles known as plasma, which allows radio and GPS signals to travel long distances.

Near the Earth's equator, these charged particles rush up and out along magnetic field lines, creating two dense bands of particles north and south of the equator that scientists call "ridges."

According to NASA, these crests merge to form an X-shape when viewed from space, similar to the shape of chromosomes found in human cells.

Unexpected places of formation

Although these alphabetical forms have been observed before, GOLD now finds them in places scientists did not expect.

GOLD had already discovered that ridges form an X shape after a solar storm or a huge volcanic eruption. But now it has repeatedly observed the X shape in areas that scientists call "quiet time."

"The X is strange because it means there are many more localized driving factors. That's expected during extreme events, but to see it during the 'quiet time' suggests that lower atmosphere activity is having a significant impact on the structure of the ionosphere," said Dr. Jeffrey Clenzing of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

C-shapes are likely formed by strong turbulence in the atmosphere – like a vortex, wind shear, or tornado-like activity.

Since the ionosphere plays a vital role in enabling radio communications, the team of scientists says it is "very important" to find out exactly why these shapes appear.

"If there is a vortex or a very strong shear in the plasma, it will completely distort the plasma over that area. The signals will be completely lost with such strong interference," said Deepak Karan, a scientist at the Atmospheric and Space Physics Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado.

Therefore, NASA scientists emphasize that their findings can play a "crucial role in the development of space weather forecasting capabilities."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!