Chinese scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in atmospheric research by detecting plasma bubbles appearing almost simultaneously over both the Egyptian pyramids and the Midway Islands. This discovery was made possible using the world’s most powerful ionospheric radar, known as the Low Latitude Long Range Ionospheric Radar (LARID), located in Hainan.
Plasma bubbles are unusual weather phenomena occurring in low-latitude regions of the Earth. They are caused by the sudden disappearance of charged particles in the ionosphere, which is part of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. These electron-depleted regions can disrupt GPS systems and satellite communications, posing significant challenges for technology reliant on these systems.
The bubbles can expand to hundreds of kilometers in diameter, affecting a vast area. Thanks to LARID, China has become the first country in the world capable of detecting these plasma bubbles on radar. On August 27, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared the largest recorded radar detection of these bubbles to date.
The observations revealed that the plasma bubbles were triggered by a solar storm. From November 4-6 of the previous year, these disturbances were visible on China’s radar screens, with echoes returning as far away as North Africa and the central Pacific. This allowed scientists to observe the detailed formation and real-time movement of the plasma bubbles.
LARID’s impressive detection range spans up to 9,600 kilometers (5,965 miles), approximately the distance from Hawaii to Libya. This massive radar overcomes the limitations of conventional radars, which struggle to detect targets below the horizon due to the Earth’s curvature. LARID achieves this by emitting high-power electromagnetic waves that bounce between the ionosphere and the ground, expanding its coverage.
When these waves encounter plasma bubbles, some of the signals are reflected back and captured by LARID’s antenna array. Operating in the 8-22MHz frequency band, LARID utilizes a fully digital phased array system, enabling real-time adjustments to detection parameters such as frequency, range, and scanning area.
Initially, LARID’s detection range was 3,000 kilometers. However, with new signal coding and geophysical simulation models, the range has tripled in less than six months, showcasing rapid enhancement in performance.
This achievement has led Chinese scientists to propose building additional over-the-horizon radars worldwide, particularly in low-latitude regions, to create a network for continuous real-time monitoring of equatorial plasma bubbles. While LARID is not suited for detecting military targets like jets or warships due to its low resolution, similar technologies are already in use by the Chinese military for such purposes.
For the scientific community, the detection of these plasma bubbles offers a new avenue to study and understand anomalies in the Earth’s ionosphere. Given their potential to disrupt modern communication systems, ongoing research and improved monitoring capabilities are essential to mitigate their impact on satellite-based technologies.