Here is the 2021 Atlantic hurricane to note
FOX 35 meteorologist Allison Gargaro breaks down the list.
ORLANDO, Fla. – It sounds like a SyFy movie in the making.
For the first time ever, scientists say they have observed a ‘space hurricane’ hovering above the earth. And get it: researchers say instead of water, the hurricane ‘rained’ electrons!
The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
According to the study, the hurricane was 600 kilometers wide, consists of plasma and has spiral arms. It was captured by satellites in 2014, but was only recently discovered by scientists from the University of Reading and Shandong University in China. According to scientists, the hurricane rotated in the anti-clockwise direction above the North Pole for about 8 hours before gradually breaking down.
MORE NEWS: ‘Frozen’ crocodiles spotted noses through ice to survive in Oklahoma
(Illustration of Spatial Hurricane / Qing-He Zhang, Shandong University)
Mike Lockwood, a space scientist at the University of Reading, said: “Until now it was uncertain that hurricanes even exist in the space of plasma, so it’s incredible to prove with such a striking observation.”
RELATED: Forecasters Can Start Hurricane Season Early This Year: That’s Why
Lockwood said the hurricane in space was created “by extraordinarily large and rapid transfers of solar energy and charged particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.”
“Plasma and magnetic fields in the atmosphere of planets exist throughout the universe, so the findings suggest that hurricanes in space should be a widespread phenomenon.”
MORE NEWS: Just in case: CDC shares tips on surviving a zombie apocalypse
Scientists were able to create a 3D image of the hurricane using data from satellites, radars and other sources. The spatial hurricane looks like typical hurricanes here on earth, forming over hot bodies of water.
The authors of the study say the fact that the space hurricane occurred during a period of low geomagnetic activity suggests that it may be relatively more common in our solar system.
WEATHER WARNING: Download the FOX 35 Weather app for live radar, severe weather warnings, and daily forecast reports on your phone
“It emphasizes the importance of improved space weather monitoring, which can disrupt GPS systems.”
Check out FOX 35 News for the latest local, national and popular stories.