NASA scientists suggest that our planet may be left without a hydrosphere and water from its gas shell. The reason for this may be the "high power" electric wind.
By electric wind, scientists mean a strong electric field. According to the results of studies by ESA specialists, this field can throw heavy oxygen into space, in addition to light hydrogen ions. According to a scientist at NASA's space flight center Glen Collinson, this electric field must be taken into account in the search for habitable planets around other stars.
In the process of studying the properties of the "electric wind", scientists opted for Venus, because it was this planet in the early periods of the development of the solar system most of all resembled the Earth. Venus was gradually losing water. Currently, the reserves of water on this planet are about a hundred thousand times less than on Earth. Thanks to these studies, scientists have concluded that the water on Venus disappeared precisely under the influence of the "electric wind".
The electric field in the upper atmosphere of Venus is five times that of Earth. According to scientists, the reason lies in the so-called "solar wind", that is, strong ultraviolet radiation that falls from the Sun to Venus. And the power of the impact of this radiation depends on the proximity of the planet to the Sun. At the same time, scientists argue that ultraviolet radiation is a rather complex thing, so it cannot be accurately measured.
As part of the research, the electrical potential of Venus was also measured, which turned out to be 10 volts.
According to the researchers, the new information obtained about the possibilities of the "electric wind" can be used when trying to explain the history of other planets. In particular, this hypothesis could explain the disappearance of water from Mars. Scientists are currently making the first attempts to record the "electric wind" on the Red Planet. Research on Mars is carried out using the robotic stations Mars Express and MAVEN.
