Scientists Locate the 'Edge of Space'
By Andrea Thompson
Condensed by Native Village
Scientists have finally
pinpointed the so-called edge of space -- the
boundary between Earth's atmosphere and
outer space. Scientific data from a new instrument
called the Supra-Thermal Ion Imager
confirms that space begins 73
miles above Earth's surface.
Developed
by scientists from the University of
Calgary, the STII was carried 124 miles into space
by the JOULE-II rocket in 2007. As it
moved through the "edge of space," it
tracked the gentle
winds of Earth's atmosphere and the
violent flows of charged space particles
that can travel over 600 mph.
The data allowed scientists to calculate energy
flows that
may help us understand how space and our
environment interact. "That could mean
a greater understanding of the link between
sunspots and the warming and cooling of the
Earth's climate as well as how space weather
impacts satellites, communications,
navigation, and power systems," said one
scientist.
Despite the Supra-Thermal Ion Imager's findings, however, the "edge of space" definition is arbitrary. Other definitions include:
Astronauts say they've been in space after passing the 50-mile mark;
The space industry says the edge of space is
around 62 miles. This 62-mile boundary is accepted by the
Federation Aeronautique Internationale
(FAI), which sets aeronautical standards;
NASA's mission control uses 76 miles as
their re-entry altitude;
Others say the edge of space is 13,000,000
miles away because that's
where Earth's gravity is no longer dominant.
http://news.aol.com/article/edge-of-space-found/423161?icid=main|htmlws-sb|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fedge-of-space-found%2F423161
