Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles explain why electrons in the Earth’s outer radiation belt disappear

A study in the University of California, Los Angeles has finally solved the 50 year long mystery of why electrons in the Earth's outer radiation belt disappear during geomagnetic storms. It was theorized that electrons were either lost to Earth’s atmosphere or invisible due to the lack of energy used fighting the storm. However, using data from three networking orbiting spacecrafts, scientists showed that the vast majority were pushed away from the planet. The electrons were stripped away from the radiation belt by the onslaught of solar wind particles during the heightened solar activity that generated the geomagnetic storm. Scientists say a greater understanding of Earth's radiation belts is vital for protecting the satellites we rely on for global positioning, communications and weather monitoring.