Atmospheric Collapse Puzzles Scientists

[jpishgar]

So apparently the Earth's thermosphere is collapsing and scientists don't quite know why.

In what NASA is calling an unexpectedly large contraction of the thermosphere, they are saying that it is the biggest in 43 years to happen within a period of relative solar inactivity.

I hate it when this kind of stuff happens, and all the guys in the lab coats look at each other and shrug.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38270609/

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Luckily for us air-breathers here on the planet's surface, the thermosphere amounts to less than 1% of the total atmosphere!

 

[amdfangirl]

I still don't understand what's going on, but something tells me we are to blame.

 

[4745454b]

No, your female. Its just us white guys who are to blame.

 

[chunkymonster]

No, your female. Its just us white guys who are to blame.

White males seem to be the scapegoat of choice lately. Stoopid crackers!

 

[jpishgar]

Can we keep racism/sexism out of atmospheric discussions please, or do I need to start hefting the banhammer?

 

[amdfangirl]

*pets jpishgar*

Good community manager

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Well today marks the 41st anniversary of the Apollo 11 moonlanding, so let's all get happy!

Anyway, the bouncing thermosphere just goes to show that scientists don't understand a lot of solar-planetary interactions yet. Sorta like those mutating neutrinos in the 2012 movies .

 

[Reynod]

This topic has been closed by Reynod