Heres what the Earths magnetic field would sound like if we could hear it

Date:
Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:44:47 +0000

Description:
Our magnetic field protects us from cosmic radiation and charged particles that bombard Earth in solar winds. ESA/ATG medialab Listen to magnetic
signals battle with a solar storm. The post Heres what the Earths magnetic field would sound like if we could hear it appeared first on Popular Science .

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Our magnetic field protects us from cosmic radiation and charged particles that bombard Earth in solar winds. ESA/ATG medialab

As the end of spooky season approaches, the icy cold and darkness of space
has some extra scary vibes to offer to anyone willing to listen very closely. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby have converted the radiofrequency signals from Earths magnetic field into sounds. The signals were measured by the European Space Agencys (ESA) Swarm satellite mission . Take a listen. European Space Agency The scary sound of Earths magnetic field






The moody sound bite comes from the magnetic field generated by Earths core and its interaction with a solar storm . Earths magnetic field is essential
to life on the planet, but it isnt something that we can typically see or hear. Its basically a shield that protects the planet from the cosmic radiation and charged particles coming from solar winds.

When the colorful aurora borealis (or northern lights) dances across the
night sky in the upper latitudes, its a visual example of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earths magnetic field. However, hearing the sounds that occur when the magnetic field interacts with charged particles from the sun is a bit more more tricky.

[Related: Will Earths shifting magnetic poles push the Northern Lights too?
]

According to the ESA , Our magnetic field is largely generated by an ocean
of superheated, swirling liquid iron that makes up the outer core around
1,864 miles beneath our feet. Acting as a spinning conductor in a bicycle dynamo, it creates electrical currents, which in turn, generate our continuously changing electromagnetic field. Strength of the magnetic field
at Earths surface. CREDIT: DTU/ESA

DTU/ESA

In 2013, the ESA launched three Swarm satellites for a mission to help decode how Earths magnetic field is generated by precisely measuring the radiofrequency signals coming from the planets core, mantle, crust, and oceans, as well as from the ionosphere and magnetosphere . Swarm is also helping scientists better understand space weather.

[Related: Astronomers used telescopic sunglasses to photograph a black holes magnetic field .]

The team used data from ESAs Swarm satellites, as well as other sources, and used these magnetic signals to manipulate and control a sonic representation of the core field, explained musician and project supporter Klaus Nielsen, from the Technical University of Denmark, in a statement . The project has certainly been a rewarding exercise in bringing art and science together.

The team set up 30 loudspeakers to play the sounds in Solbjerg Square in Copenhagen until October 30, with each speaker representing a different spot on Earth to demonstrate how the planets magnetic field has fluctuated over
the past 100,000 years.

The rumbling of Earths magnetic field is accompanied by a representation of a geomagnetic storm that resulted from a solar flare on November 3, 2011 , and indeed it sounds pretty scary, added Nielsen .

According to the scientists, the intention isnt to spook people, but use the sounds as a clever way to remind us that Earths magnetic field exists and has a pull on our lives.

The post Heres what the Earths magnetic field would sound like if we could hear it appeared first on Popular Science . Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.



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Link to news story:
https://www.popsci.com/science/earth-magnetic-field-sounds/


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