What does Earth magnetic field sound like? Denmark scientists publish recording

The magnetic field is necessary to sustain life on Earth, but we cannot see or hear it. Although not see, we can already hear it. Scientists from the Technical University of Denmark have published an audio recording on the official ESA Soundcloud page that can give an idea of how our planet's magnetic field sounds.

In order to get such an audio recording, experts converted into sound the magnetic signals measured by three satellites of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The result was quite impressive. The magnetic field that protects us, it turns out, sounds pretty scary. It is quite difficult to describe the resulting sounds. However, if you have listened to the audio recording, tell us on our Facebook page what associations it evokes in you. 

What is the Earth's magnetic field?

Even if you are far from science, you have probably heard about the magnetic field more than once. It is under its influence that the arrow of a working compass always points to the north.

It is believed that the Earth's magnetic – or geomagnetic – field appeared 4.2 billion years ago. It originates from internal sources and is considered one of the important conditions for the existence of life on our planet. Along with the atmosphere, the magnetic field protects the Earth from the destructive effects of cosmic rays and the solar wind.

The magnetic field penetrates all three layers of the Earth: lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It has an effect on vegetation, all living beings, as well as on inanimate nature; this is what magnetizes minerals and rocks.

The magnetic field also affects the climate and weather. Changes in the intensity of this field can lead not only to fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure and rainfall frequency, but also to the occurrence of strong winds, storms, and other natural disasters.

What will be done with the audio recording?

The scientists are planning to play this recording of the sounds of the magnetic field through loudspeakers, from October 24 to 30, in one of the squares of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. In this way, they hope to remind people about the importance of the magnetic field for the Earth, as the existence of life on the planet depends on it.