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New Scientist
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Researchers at the MIT Haystack Observatory have discovered that a phenomenon called “plasmaspheric hiss” prevents radiation from reaching Earth, reports Flora Graham for New Scientist. Graham explains that the plasmaspheric hiss is comprised of “very low-frequency electromagnetic waves,” which act like a radiation barrier.

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Plasma shield

Researchers find that Earth’s “plasmaspheric hiss” protects against a harmful radiation belt.