A groundbreaking discovery has unveiled a new planet-wide electric field, known as the ambipolar electric field, which plays a crucial role in Earth's gravity.

Glyn Collinson, the lead author of the study, and his team had been developing new instruments for nearly a decade to measure this elusive electric field.

The ambipolar electric field was confirmed through NASA's Endurance mission, which launched in May 2022 from Svalbard, Norway, strategically positioned for such measurements.

During its 20-minute flight, the Endurance rocket reached an altitude of 477 miles (768 kilometers) before landing in the Greenland Sea.

The implications of the ambipolar electric field for Earth's atmosphere, climate, and potential effects on life are still being explored, suggesting a broader relevance to planetary science.

This weak electric field is responsible for the polar wind, facilitating the outflow of plasma from Earth's magnetosphere and propelling particles, including hydrogen ions, into space at supersonic speeds.

The discovery revealed that the ambipolar field increases the scale height of the ionosphere by 271%, enhancing its density at greater altitudes.

Experts, including Glyn Collinson, assert that any planet with an atmosphere should possess a similar ambipolar field, which could aid in identifying potentially habitable planets.

The research findings, published in the journal Nature on August 28, 2024, mark a significant advancement in our understanding of Earth's atmospheric dynamics.

The electric field allows charged particles in the upper atmosphere to escape into space, with hydrogen ions experiencing an outward force 10.6 times stronger than gravity.

This ambipolar electric field exists approximately 150 miles above the planet and is described as a 'great invisible force' that influences polar winds and global weather patterns.

Additionally, this electric field significantly boosts the supply of cold oxygen ions to the magnetosphere by over 3,800%, further influencing atmospheric dynamics.