Magnetic North Pole shift triggers new World Magnetic Model
On December 17, an updated version of the World Magnetic Model (WMM) was issued by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). This revised model, designed to forecast the shifts in Earth’s magnetic field over the next five years, is expected to ensure the continued accuracy of navigational systems. The update was released as part of a planned schedule, with scientists emphasising its importance for applications ranging from satellite operations to smartphone navigation, as per reports.
Earth’s Magnetic Field and Its Origins
According to the scientific community, Earth’s magnetic field originates from the motion of molten iron in its outer core, situated approximately 2,890 to 5,000 kilometers beneath the surface. The process, referred to as the geodynamo, sustains the magnetic field through the interaction of electric currents and magnetic forces. Without this mechanism, as noted by Bruce Buffett, a geophysicist from the University of California, Berkeley, the field would decay within 40,000 years. In comments to Live Science, he compared the loss of the magnetic field to the cooling of a hot object left exposed.
Tracking the Magnetic North Pole
The magnetic north pole, distinct from the geographic North Pole, experiences constant movement due to the fluid dynamics of the outer core. Recent shifts have been observed in the pole’s position, moving from the Canadian Arctic towards Siberia. Such changes are attributed to variations in the strength and structure of Earth’s magnetic field, which are being closely monitored by researchers.
Purpose of the Updated Model
The updated WMM integrates data from the European Space Agency’s Swarm mission and ground-based observatories. William Brown, a geophysicist with BGS, highlighted in an interview with Live Science that the model allows navigation tools to provide reliable directions by accounting for fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field. Released every five years, the updates aim to maintain accuracy despite the unpredictability of magnetic shifts.
The latest version is expected to sustain navigational reliability, with most users unlikely to notice significant changes in day-to-day applications.
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A volcanic fissure has emerged near Grindavík on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula after a series of strong earthquakes. Lava has breached the town’s defence barriers. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has warned that the fissure may continue to expand. The eruption began along the Sundhnúkur crater row early in the morning. By 9:45 a.m. local time, a fissure stretching nearly 1,200 metres had opened north of Grindavík. The crack is moving southward. Officials have raised the hazard level to the highest risk category.
Evacuations and Road Closures
According to the IMO, a second fissure has appeared inside Grindavík’s protective barriers. Authorities have evacuated the town along with the Blue Lagoon spa. Roads in and out of the area have been shut. Some residents have refused to leave. Local media outlet Visir has reported that emergency services remain on high alert.
Impact of Volcanic Gas
Weather forecasts indicate that volcanic gas will be carried northeastward towards Reykjavík. The capital is located about 40 kilometres away. The IMO has stated that by tomorrow morning, changing wind patterns may direct the gas southwest and eastward. Residents have been told to remain indoors as much as possible while closely monitoring air quality updates. Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced about 11 eruptions since 2021. Eight have occurred along the Sundhnúkur crater row since last year. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely. Authorities have urged people to avoid the affected region.
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Astronomers have released new images of planets within the HR 8799 and 51 Eridani star systems. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used in a way that was different from standard procedures to achieve these results. Capturing direct images of exoplanets is challenging due to the brightness of host stars, which often obscures planetary details. To allow more light through, researchers adjusted JWST’s coronagraphs. This helps in enhancing the visibility of these distant worlds. This adjustment provided clearer insights into planetary atmospheres and their compositions.
Unconventional Use of JWST’s Coronagraphs
According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, lead author William Balmer, a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins University, explained to Space.com that a thinner part of the coronagraph mask was used. This allowed more starlight to diffract, reducing the risk of completely obscuring planets. Coronagraphs typically block starlight to reveal faint celestial bodies, but this modification provided a balance between removing excessive glare and preserving planetary details.
Key Discoveries and Observations
The JWST’s mid-infrared imaging captured HR 8799 at 4.6 microns. It is a wavelength that is mainly blocked by Earth’s atmosphere. Balmer stated that previous ground-based attempts had failed, demonstrating JWST’s stability in detecting exoplanets. Observations at 4.3 microns were also conducted. This revealed the presence of carbon dioxide. It is a very important step in determining the planetary formation processes. The detected carbon dioxide levels suggested that these planets likely formed through core accretion, gathering heavy elements over time.
Future Research and Expanding Studies
There are many research planned to study the four additional planetary systems. Balmer’s team has been allocated more JWST observation time to confirm whether similar gas giants formed through core accretion. This could offer more insights into the stability of planetary systems and potential habitability of smaller, unseen planets.
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