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Van Allen Belts

13 February 2019
Electromagnetism

Gary sent in the link to https://phys.org/print468842446.html … lightning's electro magnetic fields may have protective properties according to new research. There are some 2000 thunderstorms going on somewhere on Earth at any given time, we are told. Hence, humans and all living things have been bathed in low frequency electromagnetic fields since the year dot. The electro magnetic fields are however weak and difficult to detect. Not much notice was made of them by scientists – until recently. As such, scientists did not think they had any tangible efffect on life on Earth but the new study from Tel Aviv University says they have protective properties for organisms living under stress conditions. They have also played an evolutionary role – something that may be teased out in the future.

At https://phys.org/print469193040.html … Van Allen probes begin the final period of research into Earth's radiation belts. This is a reference to the NASA spacecraft, or probes, that have been orbiting the Earth for six and a half years, flying repeatedly through areas of charged particles in the Van Allen belts. The shape, size, and intensity of these radiation belts changes in response to the solar wind.

At https://phys.org/print469167361.html … Earth's magnetic shield booms like a drum when hit by impulses – plasma jet impacts. As an impulse strikes the outer boundary of Earth's magnetic shield, known as the magnetopause, ripples travel along its surface which are then reflected back when they approach the magnetic Poles. This leads to a standing wave pattern. Specific points seem to stand still while others vibrate. A drum resonates in a similar fashion when struck. The magnetopause controls the flow of energy within the Earth's space environment – affecting space weather (in the atmosphere.

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