Last week, residents of California observed a red glow in the sky that resembled an aurora. This unusual phenomenon was a result of recent solar activity, which brought polar lights to lower latitudes than usual. However, the vibrant colors seen in the sky were actually caused by a Spacex Rocket that created a hole in the ionosphere.
A 2018 study published in Space Weather investigated the impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 flight conducted the previous year. The launch was intended to deploy Taiwan’s FORMOSAT-5 satellite. The study revealed that the rocket induced large circular shock acoustic waves (SAWs) in the total electron content (TEC) over the western United States, resulting in a massive ionospheric plasma hole measuring approximately 900 km (559 miles) in diameter.
While some may argue that this was more of a thinning than an actual hole, the TECs in the affected area experienced a reduction of up to 70% compared to normal conditions. However, not all parts of the hole were equally affected, with some areas experiencing only a 10% loss in TEC.
Although this incident did not gain much public attention, a similar launch on July 19 of this year caught people’s interest after photographs were widely shared on social media platforms.
Rockets release various gases in their exhaust plumes. The chemical reactions caused by these gases can impact the charged particles, specifically electrons, in the Earth’s ionosphere. Apart from the visually stunning spectacle, disruptions in the ionosphere can potentially affect radio transmissions, which rely on ionospheric bounces. The 2017 launch was estimated to have caused a GPS error of approximately 1 meter (3 feet).
It is worth noting that most Falcon 9 launches have smaller effects on the ionosphere. However, future rockets with larger payload capacities may result in similar events. This raises concerns about the frequency of ionosphere disruptions and the need for regulation. Additionally, while a one-meter GPS error may not have significant consequences, a combination of multiple factors could lead to more intense disruptions in TEC, serving as an early warning sign.
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