Earth's Plasma Plume Unveiled

Responsible Official: T.E. Moore - tom.moore@msfc.nasa.gov, (205) 544-7633
Author: B.L. Giles - barbara.giles@msfc.nasa.gov, (205) 544-7637

Last Updated: Tue, Sep 24, 1996

	Solar wind would singe our atmosphere if not for our magnetic field.
	Solar wind energy heats the auroral oval, sometimes over Huntsville.
	A planetary-scale plasma fountain spews 50 tons/day into space.
	Yet, previous spacecraft have found the polar caps to be EMPTY!
	POLAR/TIDE-PSI show the caps are filled with outflowing plasma.
	Who cares? Anyone living on Earth!