Why Space Over South America is Deadly for Satellites

There's a region of Earth's atmosphere known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, and it’s one of the most dangerous near-Earth areas of space, both for satellites and humans.

Hosted by: Reid Reimers

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Images:

[aljo]

Satellites: NOOO I DON'T WANNA GO TO BRAZIL

[rizdalegend]

The radiation belt graphic was hugely helpful.

[Maicowerk]

5:00 This is why NASA sends up three astronauts at a time, so if 2 agree and 1 disagrees they go with the two because obviously a particle has knocked the sense out of the 3rd guy.

[Swenthorian]

These single-event upsets happen on the surface, too! They're one of the reasons why your computer becomes unstable if you go too long without restarting, and why good servers use special RAM.

[jeffersonwagnerdessordi]

The cause of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (as we know it here in Brazil) is not an inexplicable difference in rotation of Earth's core. It's just an unbalance on distribution of iron ore near in the mantle. This concentration was caused by an asteroid impact at the South Pole, uplifting the iron-rich magma. I have recently published and illustrated this theory in my blog – The Permian Extinction caused by an asteroid impact at West Antarctic.
The South Atlantic Anomaly explanation is presented on the post Consequences of the Permian impacts - Part 2. Be welcome!

[NewMessage]

So.. there's a bermuda triangle in space? Come on Sci-Fi writers, pick up this thread!

[ethefirst]

Computers that vote?
*Evangelion has entered the chat*

[ThrottleKitty]

It's because we killed the dodo birds, they were an important part of the local magnetosphere.

[prtcgv]

As a Brazilian, I want to apologize! This anomaly is due to our corrupt politicians.

[screenplaya]

The voices in my head want me to ask about the origin of the voices in my head.

[MOKPT]

What qualifies as "supersonic speeds" when referring to space? 0:55 Probably not the best choice of terms to refer to the speed of something in a vacuum where there is no sound. I do like your videos. Keep em coming.

[themeatpopsicle]

"sometimes we want satellites there" yeah like when we want to provide satellite-based services to the millions of people in South America

[johnellis]

What happens if all three computers disagree?

[darenohanlon]

This is another aspect of the south Atlantic magnetic anomaly that cursed shipping for 50 years, the south polar magnetic lines of force erupted into a buckle, that WAS way out in the south Atlantic, but about 10-15 years ago, the buckle began to move and hit land in south America, there is a valley somewhere, where they get around 500 lightening strikes everyday

[LEDewey_MD]

Nice presentation describing the Van Allen Radiation belts, and their relatedness to the southern anomaly! Maybe you could do an entire episode just about them (if you haven't already done so!)

[cassiorichiniti]

nah they get stuck in Curitiba customs office xD

[BBBrasil]

WOW, I really like when Reid isn't trying to be funny. His jokes and mannerisms are awkward but when he is serious he builds confidence. SAA is a serious topic and he firmly conveyed the seriousness of it.

[piguyalamode]

The SAA, aka the something awful area

[chakyikac]

0:52 Every speed is supersonic in vacuum.

[JamesOKeefe-US]

I love how accessible SciShow Space is. Thank you for helping us better understand our universe!!