Thermospheric Mapping Achieved 300 Miles Above Earth

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Scientists from a Japanese university have leveraged data gathered from approximately 1,200 Starlink satellites to chart the thermosphere located around 482 kilometers, or 300 miles, above our planet. This investigation has yielded what the team refers to as the inaugural tomographic representation of air density within the thermosphere, showcasing the fluctuations of this sparse atmosphere across different areas. Variations in atmospheric drag can impact satellite velocity and elevation, particularly during periods of heightened solar activity that cause the upper atmosphere to heat and expand. These results hold the potential to enhance predictions related to space weather, satellite navigation, reentry scenarios, and collision avoidance as the volume of satellites in orbit continues to rise.  Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using Al-assisted tools. ai-generated

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00:00Scientists have found a hidden atmosphere above Earth.

00:02And Starlink satellites helped reveal it.

00:05Kyoto University studied about 1,200 satellites.

00:08They mapped the thermosphere about 300 miles above Earth.

00:12Even there, thin air creates satellite drag.

00:15That drag can slowly change their orbits.

00:18Solar activity can make the effect stronger.

00:21That can make space traffic harder to manage.

00:24Researchers tracked tiny changes in satellite motion.

00:27They turned that data into an atmospheric map.

00:30The results matched measurements from swarm satellites.

00:34Scientists say the method could improve space weather forecasts.

00:38It could also improve satellite tracking and re-entry predictions.

00:42A hidden layer of air is now helping us understand space.

00:45Disclosure.

00:46This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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