email Launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites is seen over the Pacific Ocean from Encinitas, California, US, April 1, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS A recent study has revealed that the explosion of SpaceX's Starship rocket on November 18 caused a temporary hole in Earth's ionosphere. The rocket, which exploded twice during its ascent from Boca Chica, Texas, sent powerful shock waves through the upper atmosphere, creating a disruption in the ionosphere— a region filled with charged particles. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that the blast temporarily neutralised the charge of nearby particles, creating a hole that spanned up to 1,200 miles. This is the first documented case of a non-chemical ionospheric hole formed by a man-made explosion. Fortunately, the hole closed within 30 to 40 minutes. Researchers were surprised by the size of the disturbance, raising questions about the underlying atmospheric processes involved. The findings offer valuable insights into how the ionosphere responds to such disruptions, both natural and man-made. facebook