This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45655149

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
World War II bombs 'felt in space' World War II bombs 'felt in space'
(about 1 hour later)
The bombs used by Allied forces during the Second World War were so large, they weakened the Earth's upper atmosphere. The bombs used by Allied forces during World War II were so large, they weakened the Earth's upper atmosphere.
The air raids turned towns to rubble and ash, but now new research shows shockwaves could be felt up to 1,000 km above the UK.The air raids turned towns to rubble and ash, but now new research shows shockwaves could be felt up to 1,000 km above the UK.
Chris Scott, from the University of Reading said: "I was absolutely astonished [when I found out].Chris Scott, from the University of Reading said: "I was absolutely astonished [when I found out].
"Each raid released the energy of at least 300 lightning strikes.""Each raid released the energy of at least 300 lightning strikes."
It's now hoped the research will give us a better understanding of how natural forces such as lightening, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can affect Earth's upper atmosphere. It's now hoped the research will give us a better understanding of how natural forces such as lightning, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can affect Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers studied daily records kept at the Radio Research Centre in Slough, UK.Researchers studied daily records kept at the Radio Research Centre in Slough, UK.
They looked at how the concentration of electrons changed in the upper atmosphere around the time of 152 Allied air raids in Europe - including raids on Berlin and those in support of the Normandy landings.They looked at how the concentration of electrons changed in the upper atmosphere around the time of 152 Allied air raids in Europe - including raids on Berlin and those in support of the Normandy landings.
The data showed the concentration of electrons fell significantly when a bomb was detonated, which in turn heated the upper atmosphere.The data showed the concentration of electrons fell significantly when a bomb was detonated, which in turn heated the upper atmosphere.
This caused a small but significant depletion in the ionosphere above Slough, even though the bombs were deployed hundreds of miles away.This caused a small but significant depletion in the ionosphere above Slough, even though the bombs were deployed hundreds of miles away.
But Chris Scott admits "these were very temporary effects which heated the atmosphere very slightly."But Chris Scott admits "these were very temporary effects which heated the atmosphere very slightly."
"The effects on the ionosphere would only have lasted until the heat dissipated.""The effects on the ionosphere would only have lasted until the heat dissipated."
It is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere which can affect radio communications, GPS systems, radio telescopes and even some understanding of weather systems.It is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere which can affect radio communications, GPS systems, radio telescopes and even some understanding of weather systems.
Chris Scott said: "This [research] is really important if we're going to understand the ionosphere as a whole.Chris Scott said: "This [research] is really important if we're going to understand the ionosphere as a whole.
"We know the ionosphere is controlled by solar activity but it varies much more than can currently be explained.""We know the ionosphere is controlled by solar activity but it varies much more than can currently be explained."
The results are published in the European Geosciences Union journal, Annales Geophysicae.The results are published in the European Geosciences Union journal, Annales Geophysicae.