Trouble for Spacecraft

When spacecraft traverse this anomalous area, they often face significant challenges. Devices may malfunction or even fail entirely. For instance, NASA took extensive precautions to steer clear of this spatial Bermuda Triangle during the launch of its $2.5 billion rover in July 2020, as entering this region could have led to catastrophic consequences for the Mars-bound vehicle.

The Anomaly and Earth's Magnetic Field

Spanning from Zimbabwe to Chile, this unusual region seems linked to the two Van Allen radiation belts surrounding our planet. Earth's magnetic field captures charged particles, forming two protective rings that stretch from 400 to 36,000 miles above the surface. The South Atlantic Anomaly occurs where the inner Van Allen belt nears the Earth's surface, resulting in a weakened magnetic field in this locale. Consequently, solar radiation can penetrate up to 120 miles above the Earth, leading to a buildup of high-energy particles over the South Atlantic.

More Issues Faced by Spacecraft

Unfortunately, the radiation levels in this region are so intense that many satellites must pass through it during their orbits. Protons bombard them at an alarming rate of 18,000 impacts per square inch every second, significantly affecting the spacecraft’s electronic systems. For instance, the Hubble Space Telescope crosses the Bermuda Triangle over ten times daily but is unable to collect data while within that area.

If spacecraft systems do not switch to a safe mode, they can suffer severe malfunctions. As technology advances, these complications become more pronounced, resulting in higher financial losses. In October 2012, SpaceX's CRS-1 Dragon spacecraft nearly spiraled out of control while navigating this anomaly. Similarly, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency lost contact with its Hitomi satellite in March 2016, which had been launched just a month earlier to study cosmic phenomena. It was later discovered that the spacecraft disintegrated upon trying to stabilize itself, costing nearly $280 million.

Why is This Above the South Atlantic Ocean?

But why does the Earth’s magnetic field show such weakness above the South Atlantic Ocean? The answer lies in a protrusion at the planet's core. If you were to measure the Earth from pole to pole, you'd find it to be 27 miles broader. In regions where this dip occurs, charged particles from space can come closer to the Earth’s crust.

The flow of liquid metals in the outer core generates a magnetic field, creating electric currents that give rise to the Earth's north and south poles.

North and South Pole Playing Switcheroo?

However, the magnetic field is not static; it fluctuates between periods of weakening and strengthening. Currently, the Earth’s magnetic field is on a decline, leading scientists to speculate that the North Pole may eventually become the South Pole. This phenomenon has occurred throughout Earth’s history, with the last major shift taking place approximately 700,000 years ago.

How Did the Space Bermuda Triangle Even Come to Exist?

Researchers have been investigating the duration of the South Atlantic Anomaly's existence and have made fascinating geological discoveries that shed light on the magnetic field thousands of years ago. Inhabited by the Bantu people around 1000 years ago, the Limpopo River Valley, now part of the anomaly, was the site of a unique ritual. During dry spells, they burned their clay huts in hopes of attracting rain. This process heated the clay to high temperatures, causing the magnetic minerals within to align with the Earth's magnetic field.

More Discoveries About the Space Bermuda Triangle

Scientists may have unraveled the enigma of the Bermuda Triangle in space. They noted a peculiar feature at the boundary between Earth's silicate mantle and its liquid iron-nickel outer core—a vast reservoir of densely packed rock. This formation could be millions of years old and span thousands of miles.

While it's unclear how such a mass could influence the magnetic field globally, it likely lies between the heated outer core and the colder, solid mantle, potentially disrupting the iron layer responsible for generating the magnetic field.

Does This Mean the End of the World?

Initially, researchers feared that their findings indicated an imminent magnetic field reversal, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes. However, subsequent studies revealed that the South Atlantic Anomaly does not necessarily foreshadow a polar shift. Despite its unsettling nature, the anomaly itself poses risks, as expanding radiation could cause computers and other electronic devices to fail. Currently, the radioactivity in the anomaly's lower layers remains relatively mild.

Over the past 150 years, the magnetic field in this area has weakened by more than 15%. Scientists assure us that this does not imply an immediate loss of protection from solar radiation, projecting that such an event is not likely to occur for at least another billion years.

Scientists have recently discovered the so-called Bermuda Triangle of Space, revealing its implications for space exploration and technology.

An intriguing documentary explores an astronaut's experiences and the mysterious radiation belt story surrounding the Bermuda Triangle of Space.