Audios: NASA captures the mysterious 'whistles' produced by space

Scientists from the US space agency have been able to capture and record strange sounds produced by plasma waves in the magnetic field that surrounds Earth. And they sound like real "whistles" in space.



Recording of the phenomena was only possible thanks to Van Allen probes, which integrate scientific studies aimed at "understanding the dynamics of plasma waves" in order to "improve predictions of space time, which can have harmful effects on satellites and signals Telecommunications.

"Space is not empty, nor is it silent. Although technically a vacuum, it contains charged charged particles governed by magnetic and electric fields. In regions tied to magnetic fields, such as the space environment that surrounds our planet, particles are continuously thrown from side to side by the movement of several electromagnetic waves known as plasma waves, "the agency said.

As waves rotate through the ocean or storm front that move through the atmosphere, disturbances in space can cause ripples. Such waves are produced when electric and magnetic fields float through groups of ions and electrons constituting plasma, pushing some at accelerated speeds.

Still according to NASA, one of the waves responsible for shaping our environment on Earth is the so-called "wave of whistler mode. In addition to creating distinct sounds "depending on the plasma".

"Beyond the plasmasphere, where the plasma is thin and relatively warm, whistle-like waves create mostly chirping, like a flock of noisy birds. This type of wave is called a chorus and is created when electrons are pushed to the night side of the Earth - which in some cases can be caused by magnetic reconnection, a dynamic burst of magnetic field lines tangled in the dark side of the Earth, "the scientists wrote.

It is expected that data gathered from space "whistles" will help "understand how waves and particles interact, scientists can learn how electrons are accelerated and lost from radiation belts and help protect our satellites and telecommunications in the space".