Scientists have recorded an increase in "dent" in the Earth's magnetic field
Recent observations of the general state of the planet's magnetic field have shown that the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly has begun to expand westward. In addition, it was found that now in this anomaly, two centers of the minimum of the field strength are observed at once.
As you know, the earth's magnetic field performs a protective function and prevents charged particles from the sun from reaching the earth's surface. But exactly over South America and the South Atlantic Ocean, the "Achilles heel" of our magnetic field has formed, which is called the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA).
So the harsh cosmic radiation in this area can completely disable the electronics of aircraft and interfere with the full operation of satellites.
Until recently, the anomaly did not particularly affect the daily activities of people living in that area. But recent studies and computer simulations have shown that the anomaly begins to increase in size and at the moment it already has two field strength minima.
How did the anomaly come about?
It is believed that YAMA was formed due to two features of our planet:
- Due to the tilt of the magnetic field axis.
- Movements of streams of molten metal in the core of the planet. Since the movement of flows changes over time (due to the course of complex geodynamic processes), the magnetic field also changes. Due to these fluctuations, an anomaly can form.
To simplify greatly, then our planet can be represented as a bar magnet with a pair of poles. However, the field of this magnet is far from ideal and is not highly stable. That is why various anomalies are often formed.
Magnetic field problem
The magnetic shield formed around the Earth performs a protective function and delays the flow of charged particles rushing from the Sun. These particles accumulate and continue to move along magnetic lines in radiation belts, which are called Van Allen belts.
The closest Van Allen belt is located at 4000 km. This holding height allows our near-earth satellites to operate fully without any disruptions. But periodically magnetic storms can "push through" the magnetic field due to the accumulated charge in the belts and, due to this, penetrate into the lower layers of the atmosphere.
In this case, the initially weak field in JAMA weakens even more.
These processes are a real and extremely serious threat to spacecraft, which are located in low-orbit orbits. So, if a high-energy proton gets into a working satellite, it can provoke a short circuit and completely disable the equipment.
As scientists studying this anomaly said, its expansion is slow, but the morphology of the anomaly also changes. It is for this reason that it is necessary to study it and look for ways, both to preserve the operability of the equipment, and ways to reduce the size of the anomaly.
In addition, the observed changes will allow scientists to better study the processes taking place in the Earth's core and how dynamics affects other systems on the planet.
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