In a recent study published in the Scientific Reports journal, researchers revealed an unexpected factor impacting Earth’s climate – cosmic rays. It was found that these particles from outer space contribute to cloud formation, thus influencing the atmospheric temperature and moisture levels. Over time, they create an “umbrella effect” through increased cloud coverage that leads to cooling of the Earth.
What are Cosmic Rays?
Cosmic rays, discovered in 1912, are atom fragments that travel from outside of the Solar System towards the Earth at light speed. They are predominantly atomic nuclei, with most being hydrogen nuclei, some helium, and the remainder heavier elements.
However, the exact origins of high-energy cosmic rays still elude scientists and continue to be a hot topic of research. The prevalent suspicion ties these rays to supernova events or star explosions. These cosmic particles can cause electronic issues in satellites and other machinery due to their high velocity and energy levels.
The Umbrella Effect and its Impact
The “umbrella effect” refers to Earth’s cooling process resulting from enhanced low-level cloud coverage from cosmic rays. By obstructing the sunlight, these clouds act as an ‘umbrella.’ Past evaluations using meteorological data indicate minor variations in cosmic ray amounts and cloud cover.
Nonetheless, researchers from Kobe University in Japan took a different approach by studying Earth’s last geomagnetic reversal — a condition where the planet’s overall magnetic field flips – happened about 780,000 years ago. This period witnessed the Earth’s magnetic strength fall below one-fourth, and a consequent 50% surge in cosmic rays. The heightened cosmic activity led to an increase in global cloud coverage, therein revealing cosmic rays’ impact on climate.
| Event | Change |
|---|---|
| Earth’s magnetic strength | Fell to less than one-fourth |
| Cosmic rays | Increased by over 50% |
| Global cloud cover | Spike noted |
Cosmic Rays, Cloud Coverage, and Climate
The augmented global cloud cover facilitated by cosmic rays can enhance the formation of low-lying clouds, leading to cooling of Earth’s atmosphere. Moreover, the composite effect of rays and increased cloud cover caused high atmospheric pressure in Siberia, intensifying the East Asian winter monsoon.
To further analyze this phenomenon, researchers studied the changes in particle size and accumulation speed of loess layer dust at two locations in China’s Loess Plateau. It was determined that during the last geomagnetic reversal, the sediment particles became coarser and gathered up to three times faster, signifying stronger winter monsoons.
These findings underscore the significance of cloud impact on climate. The research suggests that an increase in galactic cosmic rays corresponds to a rise in low clouds and vice versa, which may imply that climate warming possibly results from an opposite-umbrella effect.
Previously, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had considered cloud cover’s influence on climate. However, the role of cosmic rays in global warming has been mostly overlooked due to insufficient comprehension of their effects. With climate change events on the rise, understanding cosmic rays’ potential role in global warming becomes increasingly pivotal.
