Watch those compasses

flyover · July 13th, 2004, 09:04

With credit to Drudge who got it from NYT, not the most reliable source, but it's science not political:

NYT: COLLAPSE OF THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD ACCELERATES
Mon Jul 12 2004 18:17:38 ET

The collapse of the earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago, the NY TIMES is planning to report on Page Ones Tuesday.

Science reporter Bill Broad has filed a report, according to newsroom sources, which explores how: 'The field's strength has waned 10 percent to 15 percent so far and this deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the earth."

Broad explains: "During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition much in the heavens and Earth would go askew."

Broad claims: "A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

ready2fly · July 13th, 2004, 09:22

Chicken Little? That you?

flyover · July 13th, 2004, 10:07

[ QUOTE ]
Chicken Little? That you?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well it figures with everything else going on in aviation. I thought I noticed my compass was wobbling a little more the last 150 years.

Dave

pilot602 · July 13th, 2004, 11:20

NOVA did a show on this ... pretty interesting. The Earth goes through these reversals on a pretty regular basis and we're actually long overdue for one. Worst case scenario; cancer cases will go up but it's not going to be a catastrophy - now what happens to/with man made machenery is something they didn't really get into.

Kristie · July 13th, 2004, 11:38

cancer cases? due to what?

pilot602 · July 13th, 2004, 11:50

The Earth's magnetic field is what blocks (well, really rediretcs it, which iswhat causesthe Auroa Boreallis) cosmic radiation. As the field collapses (which leads a reversal) the radiation levels around the earth will go up. Which will lead to higher rates of cancer. But nothing epidemic and it'll take several hundred years for all this to happen so by the time it peaks hopefully we'll have better ways to fight cancer.

We may also see more Auroa Boreallis displays at different locations all over the earth where the fields are being redirected into the core. During the collapse and reversal we may have several "poles" all over the earth and where the poles exist we'll see lights in the night sky. Go check out pbs.org and look up the episode it's really fascinating.

BobDDuck · July 13th, 2004, 11:51

[ QUOTE ]
cancer cases? due to what?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I heard the same thing. It has something to do with all the toxins that build up in the body's cells and blood stream. Some of them are magnatized for various reasons and they have spent there whole life repelling and attracting each other one way and then boom... the next day they do the complete opposite. This leads to massive mutations and what not, hence leading to cancer.

</sarcasm>

Well, at least it sounds ALMOST realistic. Yeah... How is it going ot cause cancer?

Ethan

pilot602 · July 13th, 2004, 13:11

I went and did a little digging and here is PBS.org/NOVA Web site dealing with this issue, the episode was called Magnetic Storm.

Sky is Falling

Lots 'o cool stuff.

July 13th, 2004, 09:04	#1
flyover Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,389	Watch those compasses With credit to Drudge who got it from NYT, not the most reliable source, but it's science not political: NYT: COLLAPSE OF THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD ACCELERATES Mon Jul 12 2004 18:17:38 ET The collapse of the earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago, the NY TIMES is planning to report on Page Ones Tuesday. Science reporter Bill Broad has filed a report, according to newsroom sources, which explores how: 'The field's strength has waned 10 percent to 15 percent so far and this deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the earth." Broad explains: "During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition much in the heavens and Earth would go askew." Broad claims: "A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid."

July 13th, 2004, 09:22	#2
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,373	Re: Watch those compasses Chicken Little? That you?

July 13th, 2004, 10:07	#3
flyover Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,389	Re: Watch those compasses [ QUOTE ] Chicken Little? That you? [/ QUOTE ] Well it figures with everything else going on in aviation. I thought I noticed my compass was wobbling a little more the last 150 years. Dave

July 13th, 2004, 11:20	#4
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,752	Re: Watch those compasses NOVA did a show on this ... pretty interesting. The Earth goes through these reversals on a pretty regular basis and we're actually long overdue for one. Worst case scenario; cancer cases will go up but it's not going to be a catastrophy - now what happens to/with man made machenery is something they didn't really get into.

July 13th, 2004, 11:38	#5
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 19,288 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Watch those compasses cancer cases? due to what?

July 13th, 2004, 11:50	#6
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,752	Re: Watch those compasses The Earth's magnetic field is what blocks (well, really rediretcs it, which iswhat causesthe Auroa Boreallis) cosmic radiation. As the field collapses (which leads a reversal) the radiation levels around the earth will go up. Which will lead to higher rates of cancer. But nothing epidemic and it'll take several hundred years for all this to happen so by the time it peaks hopefully we'll have better ways to fight cancer. We may also see more Auroa Boreallis displays at different locations all over the earth where the fields are being redirected into the core. During the collapse and reversal we may have several "poles" all over the earth and where the poles exist we'll see lights in the night sky. Go check out pbs.org and look up the episode it's really fascinating.

July 13th, 2004, 11:51	#7
BobDDuck Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Left Seat Posts: 5,924	Re: Watch those compasses [ QUOTE ] cancer cases? due to what? [/ QUOTE ] Actually, I heard the same thing. It has something to do with all the toxins that build up in the body's cells and blood stream. Some of them are magnatized for various reasons and they have spent there whole life repelling and attracting each other one way and then boom... the next day they do the complete opposite. This leads to massive mutations and what not, hence leading to cancer. </sarcasm> Well, at least it sounds ALMOST realistic. Yeah... How is it going ot cause cancer? Ethan

July 13th, 2004, 13:11	#8
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,752	Re: Watch those compasses I went and did a little digging and here is PBS.org/NOVA Web site dealing with this issue, the episode was called Magnetic Storm. Sky is Falling Lots 'o cool stuff.

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