SCMP reported that with the support of the world's most powerful radar, Chinese scientists have discovered a plasma bubble appearing on both the Egyptian pyramids and the Midway Islands at almost the same time.
equatorial plasma bubbles are an unusual weather phenomenon in low latitude areas, due to the sudden disappearance of a large number of charged particles in the electricity layer - part of the upper atmosphere of the Earth.
Like a bubble, this electron depletion zone can disrupt GPS positioning devices and can also disrupt satellite communication. And they can reach hundreds of kilometers in diameter.
But thanks to low latitude long-range radar (LARID), built last year, China has become the first country in the world to detect these plasma bubbles on radar.
On August 27, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, posted on its website the results of the largest ever plastic radar bubble detection test.
These plasma bubbles - caused by a solar storm - appeared clearly on China's radar screens from November 4 to 6 last year, with radar signals detected as far away as North Africa and the central Pacific.
By analyzing these signals, scientists not only observe the detailed formation of plasma bubbles but also track their movements in real time.
Located on Hainan Island, the southern tip of China, the giant LARID radar has a detection range of 9,600 km - as far as Hawaii to the east or Libya to the west.
Operating in the 8-22MHz frequency band, LARID includes two sub- radar systems, facing east and west, each system has 24 sets of receiving tons.
According to the project group, LARID applies an advanced digital phase system, allowing adjustment of detection frequency, range, scanning field and radar encryption parameters in real time based on actual needs.
Previously, operating radar with an overall detection coverage of nearly half of the Earth was considered impossible.
Initially, the effective detection range of LARID was only 3,000 km. However, in less than half a year, the maximum detection range has tripled.
plasma bubbles can have a significant impact on modern warfare and there have been many related studies conducted by military forces around the world, including the US Navy.
However, due to the lack of large-scale, long-term observation facilities on the oceans, human's ability to understand and warn early about these events is still quite limited.
Chinese scientists have proposed building three to four more horizonal Radar RARIDs similar to LARIDs in low latitude areas around the world.
This super radar network is expected to be capable of monitoring equatorial plastic bubbles seamlessly in real time around the world.
