Bermuda Triangle of SPACE ‘where satellites break and collapse’ mystery may be solved
EVERYONE has heard of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle but experts have long been baffled by something similar in space causing havoc.
The notorious Bermuda Triangle has been blamed for many strange disappearances for centuries.
Located west of the North Atlantic sea, the area has become a favourite for conspiracy theorists after several planes and ships went missing when attempting to pass through.
Now attentions have turned to the so-called Bermuda Triangle of space.
The area - also known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) - can be found above the South Atlantic, stretching as far as Chile to Zimbabwe.
While not quite as extreme as causing spacecraft to vanish out of thin air, the large zone has been blamed for some mysterious goings on.
Not least of all, disrupting equipment and thereby putting astronauts in potential danger.
But unlike the Bermuda Triangle at surface level, we may actually understand why its space sister is up to mischief - and it's not aliens at play.
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It actually looks like there is more intense solar radiation over that spot.
This creates a surge of energetic particles, which can break communications satellites and other key equipment.
"I'm not fond of the [Bermuda Triangle of Space] nickname, but in that region, the lower geomagnetic field intensity eventually results in a greater vulnerability of satellites to energetic particles, to the point that spacecraft damage could occur as they traverse the area," Professor John Tarduno, from the University of Rochester told .
To protect the kit, experts on the ground have to power things down when they pass through the area.
It's hassle but a doable - and important - workaround, with some careful planning.
For example, the Hubble Space telescope, used to look way out beyond our solar system, passes through the zone a staggering 10 times a day, meaning crucial kit has to be routinely powered down.
Scientists are concerned that the area is also growing and will therefore increase problems in the distant future.
In other news, Apple has revealed a bunch of new emoji for iPhone, including a pregnant man and two saucy symbols.
Experts have warned that future space launches could be jeopardised if "stupid" regimes like Russia don't stop blasting the skies creating debris.
And the most popular phone since the millennium has been unveiled, with many shocked to find out it's not an iPhone.
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