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It’s  no surprise that humans influence the surface of our planet,

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but our reach can go farther than that.  Humans affect space, too.

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We know storms from the sun can change the space environment

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around Earth, which can have an impact on satellites and power grids.

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Scientists now know that Cold War era tests in the 1950s caused similar effects.

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Particles around Earth

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are organized into layers known as radiation belts.

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The tests created temporary extra radiation closer to Earth.

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Other effects could be seen all around the world. Aurora appeared at the equator

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instead of the poles, utility grids in Hawaii were strained,

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and in some cases, satellites above test sites were affected.

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Using Cold War history to learn more about the physics of our complex

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space environment helps us better protect our satellites and astronauts in space.

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music

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