Can we say "Core"? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

feelgood · 12-12-2003, 08:36 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science....ap/index.html

Quote:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)
The strength of the Earth's magnetic field has decreased 10 percent over the past 150 years, raising the remote possibility that it may collapse and later reverse, flipping the planet's poles for the first time in nearly a million years, scientists said.

At that rate of decline, the field could vanish altogether in 1,500 to 2,000 years, said Jeremy Bloxham of Harvard University.

Hundreds of years could pass before a flip-flopped field returned to where it was 780,000 years ago. But scientists at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union cautioned that scenario is an unlikely one.

"The chances are it will not," Bloxham said Thursday. "Reversals are a rare event."

Instead, the weakening, measured since 1845, could represent little more than an "excursion," or lull, which can last for hundreds of years, said John Tarduno of the University of Rochester.

Such a lull could still have significant effects, especially in regions where the weakening is most pronounced.

Over the southern Atlantic Ocean, a continued weakening of the magnetic field has diminished the shielding effect it has locally in protecting the Earth from the natural radiation that bombards our planet from space, scientists said.

As a result, satellites in low-Earth orbit are left vulnerable to that radiation as they pass over the region, known as the South Atlantic anomaly.

Among the satellites that have fallen prey to the harmful effects was a Danish satellite designed, ironically, to measure the Earth's magnetic field, Bloxham said.

The weakening -- if coupled with a subsequently large influx of radiation in the form of protons streaming from the sun -- can also affect the chemistry of the atmosphere, said Charles Jackman of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

That can lead to significant but temporary losses of atmospheric ozone, he said.

No matter how many times CNN posts an article on doomdays scenario, its just fukin hilarious. Any comments?

shafedog · 12-12-2003, 09:04 AM

What is hilarious about it?

feelgood · 12-12-2003, 09:09 AM

The fact that its not even anywhere near the truth? CNN and other news networks always rolls out disaster articles and later on, just turns out that it's full of shit. Awhile back, a scientist discovered an asteriod was on collison course with Earth. Turns out to be bullshit...

Bloodslick · 12-12-2003, 09:11 AM

What I've always wondered is why writers don't get together with scientists and try to make cool ideas from books/the movies work. Not that I think the earth's core is going to stop spinning, but a rock/metal that got stronger and stronger under increased pressure/compression would be fucking awesome.

Elegant Holmes · 12-12-2003, 09:28 AM

CNN needs a spanking.

Cycler · 12-12-2003, 03:51 PM

Next on CNN:<p> "Peeing in the shower and the detrimental effect on the world's drinkable water."

moonstrucksoul · 12-12-2003, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cycler
Next on CNN:<p> "Peeing in the shower and the detrimental effect on the world's drinkable water."

d'oh

tritium · 12-12-2003, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonstrucksoul
d'oh

they can go on location in my bathroom. heh heh.

sailor · 12-12-2003, 08:37 PM

Of course they publish this stuff, its sensationalist and gets people to listen to them, even if its trite junk. Theres no news like bad news.

feelgood · 12-13-2003, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sailor420
Theres no news like bad news.

Seen James Bond movie lately?

12-12-2003, 09:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	The fact that its not even anywhere near the truth? CNN and other news networks always rolls out disaster articles and later on, just turns out that it's full of shit. Awhile back, a scientist discovered an asteriod was on collison course with Earth. Turns out to be bullshit... __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war Last edited by feelgood; 12-12-2003 at 09:14 AM..

12-12-2003, 03:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cycler Float on.... Alright Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, i.e. Oklahoma	Next on CNN:<p> "Peeing in the shower and the detrimental effect on the world's drinkable water." __________________ "I'm not even supposed to be here today." "I assure you we're open."

12-12-2003, 08:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Of course they publish this stuff, its sensationalist and gets people to listen to them, even if its trite junk. Theres no news like bad news. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

12-12-2003, 09:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
shafedog Upright	What is hilarious about it?

12-12-2003, 09:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bloodslick Loser Location: a darkened back alley	What I've always wondered is why writers don't get together with scientists and try to make cool ideas from books/the movies work. Not that I think the earth's core is going to stop spinning, but a rock/metal that got stronger and stronger under increased pressure/compression would be fucking awesome.

12-12-2003, 09:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Elegant Holmes Crazy Location: "TX"	CNN needs a spanking.