This is what the Earth’s magnetic field looks like

Although essential to life on Earth, magnetic field Our planet is not something we can see or hear in and of itself. Earth’s magnetic field Complex and dynamic bubble That protect us from cosmic radiation and charged particles that are attracted by the strong winds flowing from the sun.

When these particles collide with the atoms and molecules of our atmosphere, primarily with the oxygen and nitrogen in its upper layers, part of the energy of the collisions is transformed into the typical state and Spooky blue and green lights of the northern lights. And yesWhile the aurora borealis provide a visual demonstration of how our magnetic field works, hearing how it interacts with other particles or the solar wind itself is an entirely different matter.

Earth’s magnetic field is very much generated from an ocean of liquid iron, The outer core of our planet, about 3,000 kilometers below our feet, which works in a similar way to what a dynamo does in a bicycle wheel, where the rotating motion produces electric currents, on this occasion, generating a constantly changing magnetic field.

To study this magnetic field, in 2013 the European Space Agency launched three satellites swarm Not only with the intent of accurately measuring the magnetic signals that come from the Earth’s core, but also from the mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere, and magnetosphere.

Art and science unite

This data was exactly what a team of musicians and scientists from the Technical University of Denmark used to interpret what the Earth’s magnetic field sounds like to the human ear. “A project that was undoubtedly a satisfying exercise in unifying art and science,” he says. Klaus NielsenOne of the team members.

It may sound like a nightmare, but surprisingly, this sound clip represents the magnetic field generated by the Earth’s core and its interaction with a solar storm.

“The rumble of Earth’s magnetic field is accompanied by a representation of a geomagnetic storm caused by a solar flare on November 3, 2011, and it actually looks pretty scary,” Nielsen adds.

Earth’s magnetism is weakening

The intent, of course, is not to scare people, but rather a bizarre way of reminding us that the magnetic field exists, and although its noise is a bit disconcerting, the very existence of life on Earth depends on it.