Massive dent in Earth's magnetic field, will this anomaly hurt humans and all? NASA on high alert over
Earth's magnetic field has NASA on high alert. Charged particles from the Sun are repelled and trapped by Earth's magnetic field, which surrounds the planet like a shield. A changing dent in the Earth's magnetic field that extends from South America to southwest Africa has been monitored by NASA.
What Is Causing the South Atlantic Anomaly?
For years, researchers have been concerned about the area of lower magnetic intensity in the field, which has been dubbed the South Atlantic Anomaly, as quoted in a report by The Express US.
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According to NASA, Earth's magnetic field surrounds the planet like a shield, keeping charged particles from the Sun at bay. However, these particles are able to dip closer to the surface than usual because of the anomaly's weaker magnetic field.
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NASA's low-Earth orbit satellites and spacecraft that pass through the area may be in danger. According to the agency, a satellite may momentarily short circuit and malfunction if struck by a high-energy proton. A key component being struck can also result in permanent damage.
As non-essential components pass through the anomaly, NASA shuts them down to prevent satellite loss, which some researchers refer to as a «dent.»
