For decades, scientists have suspected that a mysterious electric field surrounds our planet, influencing the flow of charged particles into space. Now, thanks to NASA’s Endurance rocket, this enigmatic force has finally been detected. Meet the ambipolar electric field, a weak yet potent electrical field that covers the entire Earth.

This phenomenon occurs in the ionosphere, where ions and electrons coexist in a delicate balance. As they drift apart, an electric field emerges to maintain equilibrium – the ambipolar electric field. First proposed in the 1960s, this field was thought to be responsible for the “polar wind,” a stream of particles launched into space at supersonic speeds.

The Endurance rocket, launched from Norway in May 2022, measured a mere 0.55-volt change across 322 miles, confirming the existence of this field. Though seemingly insignificant, this voltage is precisely what’s needed to explain the polar wind.

This groundbreaking discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding Earth’s atmospheric evolution, as well as those of Venus and Mars. As study lead author Glyn Collinson notes, “Any planet with an atmosphere should have an ambipolar field.” With this confirmation, scientists can now explore how this field has shaped our planet and others over time.

The ambipolar electric field is a game-changer in our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere and its interactions with space. As we continue to unravel its secrets, we may uncover even more surprising ways in which our planet is connected to the cosmos.