NASA | THEMIS Discovers Biggest Breach of Earth's Magnetosphere

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NASA’s THEMIS mission has overturned a longstanding belief about the interaction between solar particles and Earth’s protective magnetic field. This new discovery could help scientists predict when the solar storms that can disrupt power grids, satellites and even GPS signals, could be especially severe.

For more information: www.nasa.gov/themis

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[exenrontexas]

@Baronstone WRONG! What IS stupid is pumping MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars into the LEAST productive and MOST expensive aspect of space exploration. MANNED space flight is not nearly as productive in answering questions about the universe and our solar system as UNMANNED space exploration. ANY concept of setting up permanent colonies on Mars or the moon is simply...LUDICROUS. Projects such as the Cassini probe or the Hubbel telescope has answered far, FAR MORE questions.

[exenrontexas]

@ghiblix2 I basically agree with that however, the misapplication of funds by the general Federal budget does in no way justify manned space flight and I agree that there is much waste in the general budget. So the greater question is how to remove the pork from the budget and convince your fellow citizens to begin the process of reform and redirection. Maybe then more resources can be directed to space exploration which btw I support, though not manned space flight.

[exenrontexas]

@exenrontexas I understand your view but the hurdles to overcome for man in space except for a very short period is astronomical (no pun intended). We are protected on earth by the atmosphere and the magnetosphere and any large colony on any other heavenly body would take ALL of the efforts of the rest of us to maintain. On the other hand, three fourth of THIS planet is mostly undeveloped and truly could achieve the same goals with MUCH greater benefit and MUCH less risk.

[exenrontexas]

@TsurugiMasamune Well I guess you are correct in a sense but I am curious what other reason is there to go into space but to explore that which is in space? Really. Did we land men on the moon to show how much money we could spend to put valued men in dangerous conditions to bring back a few photos and a few rock samples?  All that can be done with unmanned missions except the danger. Consider that test the limits of man can be done in the oceans with far more return.

[TsurugiMasamune]

@exenrontexas And now I am going to make a value assertion based on my opinion: Unmanned missions are great but we NEED to learn how to put PEOPLE in space for extended periods, how to start a COLONY and MAKE IT WORK. You say the idea of colonies is "ludicrous." I say the idea of humanity just squatting on this one planet FOREVER is RIDICULOUS...and worse, BORING.

[TsurugiMasamune]

@exenrontexas I agree with you that unmanned space exploration is valuable. But all of your other assertions are value comparisons based on your opinion. You feel that spending taxpayer dollars on manned space missions is stupid, ludicrous, and the least productive aspect of space exploration, while unmanned missions answer "far more questions." That last shows that you are thinking only of questions of cosmology as being worth answering. I disagree.

[WorldwideWakeupCall]

@QBridg3 According to David Morrison NO solar events in 2012. :P LOL

[QBridg3]

I don't think the background music is particularly appropriate when the sun reaches solar maximum in 2012.

[MrMuffinManMoh]

@exenrontexas you mad brother?

[MrKillAllTheLawyers]

NASA unfortunately is not a credible source. We all know NASA is a government agency. Need I say more...

[raptor731]

cool, why havent nations built grids that don't collapse under an intense solar storm yet? are we just waiting for the burp that kills us or what?

[gadget133]

@lee8264 Ummm... It's not that hard to find a reason why they stopped testing in space. They will tell you straight to your face if you ask them. It disturbs the ionosphere so much that it can cause massive blackouts here on earth. Both countries have admitted that. In fact, it was the major reason why both countries chucked a hissy fit when China decided to test a space detonation.