Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field

Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by trail-system on Thursday May 28, 2020 @07:51AM (#23336195)

"Over the last 200 years, the magnetic field has lost around 9% of its strength on a global average. A large region of reduced magnetic intensity has developed between Africa and South America and is known as the South Atlantic Anomaly."

The South Atlantic Anomaly is interesting. In past years satellites are being made to shutdown while passing the regions to avoid damage from the lack of protection from harmful particles.

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by hawski on Thursday May 28, 2020 @10:51AM (#23337965)

Link for the lazy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Atlantic_Anomaly

It seems to cover almost whole South America.

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by koheripbal on Thursday May 28, 2020 @12:39PM (#23339357)

It's interesting - I wonder if there are more transient and localized magnetic anomalies?

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by tboerstad on Thursday May 28, 2020 @09:44AM (#23337123)

Fascinating information, today I learned. Out of curiosity, do you work in the industry?

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by cuSetanta on Thursday May 28, 2020 @10:40AM (#23337845)

Not the original commenter but I am in the industry, and its true, many satellites shut down during this region over the South Atlantic.

For that reason, it is not a popular orbit unless there is a larger driver behind the selection. For example the ISS goes right through it in order to be above Russia for a reasonable portion of its orbit. I believe Astronauts have reported increases in optical flashes during this part of the orbit as more energetic particles pass through their eyes.

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by JshWright on Thursday May 28, 2020 @10:31AM (#23337711)

I'm not the commenter you're repling to, but personally I think I originally learned about the SAA from a Scott Manley video.

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by iso947 on Thursday May 28, 2020 @10:40AM (#23337841)

I suspect this one, explaining the various parts of mission control

https://youtu.be/6zFAme3SQAo

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Re:Swarm satellites probe weakening of Earth’s magnetic field by trail-system on Thursday May 28, 2020 @01:37PM (#23340084)

I'm not in the industry. Just a fan of anomalies.

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