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NASA Discovers Magnetic Switchbacks Affecting Earth's Atmosphere

11/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) detected the first magnetic switchback near Earth, previously observed near Sun.
The discovery shows switchbacks can influence energy transfer into Earth's upper atmosphere, potentially affecting power grids and satellites.
The MMS mission uses four spacecraft to study reconnection processes in three dimensions.
Physicist E. O. McDougall of the University of New Hampshire led the work, and findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

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Story summary

NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) detected the first magnetic switchback near Earth, previously observed near Sun.
The discovery shows switchbacks can influence energy transfer into Earth's upper atmosphere, potentially affecting power grids and satellites.
The MMS mission uses four spacecraft to study reconnection processes in three dimensions.
Physicist E. O. McDougall of the University of New Hampshire led the work, and findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.