FLIPPING MAGNETIC ATTRACTION: DMR NETWORK, 00:00hrs THURSDAY

Graphic depicting the Earth's magnetosphere and the profound effect it has on protecting the biosphere from the Sun's charged particles.

byANDY FLEMING

It's another one of our planet's amazing attributes that makes life possible here.

It's called the magnetosphere and it is generated by the Earth's spinning molten core.

It is a gigantic magnetic field extending tens of thousands of miles in to space and it diverts solar radiation and atomic particles such as protons towards the planet's poles, in the process creating stunning auroral displays. 

More importantly the magnetosphere is responsible for protecting all life on the Earth from deadly solar radiation. It also prevents our planet from ending up like Mars, a dry, dessicated world that once was oceanic and wet, but whose molten core froze leading to the loss of its magnetosphere that in turn allowed the solar wind to destroy the Red Planet's atmosphere.


However, scientists have discovered that the Earth's magnetosphere has weakened by up to fifteen per cent in the last two centuries and the whole magnetic field may be about to 'flip', in effect the magnetic North Pole becoming the South Pole and vice versa. While this happens, the planet may be more exposed to deadly solar radiation.

To find out what this may mean for us all, listen to the next Podcast-UFO to be broadcast on ArtBell’s Dark Matter Radio Network at 00:00hrs UTC/GMT on Thursday March 27, 2014, when I talk astronomy. Click the links or logo to listen LIVE!

Don't worry if you miss the programme as you can catch it on catch up via podcast at Podcast-UFO

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