Consequences of our Magnetic Field

The earth’s magnetosphere protects all living things against harmful radiation from the solar wind and solar flares. Radiation from the sun can damage electronics on satellites, pose health hazards to astronauts in space, and potentially harm airline passengers and crew. The violent weather in outer space effects everything on earth. Electrical and magnetic changes caused by space weather can disrupt radio communications and cause blackouts, and even disrupt GPS satellites. Fortunately, our atmosphere protects us.

Effects of Space Weather on Astronauts

Most space missions stay inside the earth's magnetosphere. For example, the space shuttle orbits about 215 miles above the earth, where it is protected from harmful radiation.

However, the Apollo missions went out of the magnetosphere. Although they spent a small amount of time in the Van Allen Belts, the radiation received from those would have been fatal only if they stayed more than two weeks. Nevertheless, space missions must be carefully planned to avoid radiation from the Sun. In fact, solar flares are one of the biggest remaining problems for a manned mission to Mars.

Cause of the Aurora

The aurora is caused by the earth's magnetic field — specifically, small energetic particles (electrons and protons) colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. These particles are often caused by magnetic reconnection.

Magnetic Reconnection

Energy can be transferred into the magnetosphere where it collides with the solar wind. The most important process causing this is called magnetic reconnection, in which the magnetic fields of the solar wind and the magnetosphere interact to launch plasma away at high speeds, and also change the shape of the Earth's magnetic field. The plasma and charged particles that result can cause the aurora.

Using the Magnetosphere for Energy

It may be possible to get "free" energy from the Earth's magnetic field, though it would only be possible during magnetic "storms". Magnetic storms can add (near the Earth's poles) extra currents to the electric grid, which have been known to cause damage to power systems. These currents could be used for "free" energy.