Data from a cosmic ray satellite is giving strength to the theory that the Earth is encircled by a thin band of antimatter. No, it's not a galactic lap-band.
PAMELA - Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics, was launched in 2006 to study the high-energy particles ejected from the Sun (and beyond) that bombard the Earth. When cosmic rays smash into Earth’s upper atmosphere, some of the resulting particles are short-lived anti-protons. Most are annihilated instantly when in contact with ordinary matter, but those that don’t collide are trapped in the planet's Van Allen radiation belt, forming a layer of antimatter in the Earth’s atmosphere. One of PAMELA’s goals was to detect and separate these antimatter particles from the mass of protons and the nuclei of helium atoms in the atmosphere...success!
For 850 days starting in July 2006, the satellite moved through the South Atlantic Anomaly, where it detected 28 anti-protons, which is three times more than a random sample of the solar wind. What has theoretical physicists giddy is the potential to use anti-protons for rocket-propelling applications. Like, "tens of nanograms to micrograms of anti-protons can be used to catalyze nuclear reactions and propel spacecraft to velocities up to 100 km/sec.” applications. Okay, for those who don't speak geek, that's an antimatter engine. Y'know, Star Trek type stuff? Oh, now this sounds interesting, eh?
PAMELA - Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics, was launched in 2006 to study the high-energy particles ejected from the Sun (and beyond) that bombard the Earth. When cosmic rays smash into Earth’s upper atmosphere, some of the resulting particles are short-lived anti-protons. Most are annihilated instantly when in contact with ordinary matter, but those that don’t collide are trapped in the planet's Van Allen radiation belt, forming a layer of antimatter in the Earth’s atmosphere. One of PAMELA’s goals was to detect and separate these antimatter particles from the mass of protons and the nuclei of helium atoms in the atmosphere...success!
For 850 days starting in July 2006, the satellite moved through the South Atlantic Anomaly, where it detected 28 anti-protons, which is three times more than a random sample of the solar wind. What has theoretical physicists giddy is the potential to use anti-protons for rocket-propelling applications. Like, "tens of nanograms to micrograms of anti-protons can be used to catalyze nuclear reactions and propel spacecraft to velocities up to 100 km/sec.” applications. Okay, for those who don't speak geek, that's an antimatter engine. Y'know, Star Trek type stuff? Oh, now this sounds interesting, eh?
