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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Source of "Killer Electrons" in Space Discovered, Study Says


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An x-ray image of the sun depicts giant loops of highly charged particles erupting from the surface.

Some theories have suggested that such eruptions are the source of superfast "killer electrons" that can damage spacecraft and satellites. A new study has found that the particles most likely form in the outer layers of the Earth's radiation belt.

Image courtesy NASA