ACEIZE Tracking the current state of Science and Technology

A huge section of the Thermosphere recently contracted. According to John Emmert of the Naval Research Lab, "This is the biggest contraction of the thermosphere in at least 43 years". The Thermosphere has been known to contract during periods of the solar minimum. The contraction happens in response to a lack of Extreme Ultraviolet Light (EUV). EUV normally heats the thermosphere causing it to expand. It is also thought that the increase in CO2 could be having a radiant cooling effect on the Thermosphere which caused it to shrink and collapse. However, both of these effects are not expected to cause the thermosphere to contract to the level that has been observed. In short, a third unknown cause is presumed to be at work.