Weakening Magnetic Field Causing Issues for Satellites, Space Craft

Researchers have found that the Earth’s magnetic field is becoming weaker between Africa and South America, which is causing trouble for satellites and space craft according to the Independent.

"The new, eastern minimum of the South Atlantic Anomaly has appeared over the last decade and in recent years is developing vigorously," Jürgen Matzka, of the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the Head of the Geomagnetic Observatory in Niemegk.

Researchers used data obtained by the European Space Agency’s Swarm, as its constellation of satellites is known, which found that the magnetic field’s strength in the area has fallen my over 8% between 1970 and 2020.

"We are very lucky to have the Swarm satellites in orbit to investigate the development of the South Atlantic Anomaly,” Matzka said. “The challenge now is to understand the processes in Earth's core driving theses changes."

The ESA warns that satellites in the area could have “technical malfunctions” because of the anomaly. 

"The mystery of the origin of the South Atlantic Anomaly has yet to be solved," the agency said. "However, one thing is certain: magnetic field observations from Swarm are providing exciting new insights into the scarcely understood processes of Earth's interior."

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