Scientists transformed Earth’s magnetic field into sound using data from ESA’s Swarm satellites, now being broadcast in Copenhagen to raise awareness of this crucial planetary shield.
Earth is surrounded by a system of magnetic fields, called the magnetosphere, which is essential to life on Earth. However, the magnetic field isn’t something we can actually see in itself, or ever hear. But, remarkably, scientists at the Technical University of Denmark have taken magnetic signals measured by ESA’s Swarm satellite mission and converted them into sound. For something that protects us, the result is pretty scary.
Earth’s magnetic field is a complex and dynamic bubble that keeps us safe from harmful cosmic radiation and charged particles carried by powerful solar winds flowing from the Sun. When these particles collide with atoms and molecules – mainly oxygen and nitrogen – in the upper atmosphere, some of the energy in the collisions is transformed into the green-blue light that is typical of the aurora borealis. These “northern lights” can sometimes be seen from high-northern latitudes.
Although the aurora borealis offers a visual display of charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, it is another matter altogether to actually be able to hear the magnetic field generated by Earth or its interaction with solar winds.
Our magnetic field is largely generated by an ocean of superheated, swirling liquid iron that makes up the outer core around 3,000 km (1,900 miles) beneath our feet. Acting as a spinning conductor in a bicycle dynamo, it creates electrical currents, which in turn, generate our continuously changing electromagnetic field.
Swarm Satellites: Probing the Secrets of Earth’s Magnetism
ESA’s trio of Swarm satellites, which were launched in 2013, are being used to understand exactly how our magnetic field is generated by precisely measuring the magnetic signals that stem not only from Earth’s core, but also from the mantle, crust, and oceans, as well as from the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Swarm is also leading to new insights into the weather in space.
Transforming Magnetic Data into Sound
Klaus Nielsen, a musician and project supporter from the Technical University of Denmark, explains, “The team used data from ESA’s Swarm satellites, as well as other sources, and used these magnetic signals to manipulate and control a sonic representation of the core field. The project has certainly been a rewarding exercise in bringing art and science together.”
It might sound like the stuff of nightmares, but, remarkably, this audio clip represents the magnetic field generated by Earth’s core and its interaction with a solar storm.
“We gained access to a very interesting sound system consisting of over 30 loudspeakers dug into the ground at the Solbjerg Square in Copenhagen.
“We have set it up so that each speaker represents a different location on Earth and demonstrates how our magnetic field has fluctuated over the last 100,000 years.
“Throughout this week, visitors will be able to hear the amazing rumble of our magnetic field – so if you are in Copenhagen come along and check out this unique opportunity.
“The rumbling of Earth’s magnetic field is accompanied by a representation of a geomagnetic storm that resulted from a solar flare on November 3, 2011, and indeed it sounds pretty scary.”
The intention, of course, is not to frighten people – it is a quirky way of reminding us that the magnetic field exists and although its rumble is a little unnerving, the existence of life on Earth is dependent on it.
The loudspeakers at Solbjerg Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, will broadcast the rumble of Earth’s magnetic field bbetween October 24–30 at around 8 a.m, 1 p.m., and 7 p.m..
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14 Comments
Very cool! The life of the earth is amazing. Thank you
Where are the anti science folks? Do they only comment on some things they know nothing about?
Correct your piece. bbetween should be between.
Why does it sounds like strong winds.wind chimes & glass breaking..
Tnx it is 👏 amazing I’ve read the book from Marcus
Aurelian as he said the world and life is dynamic &huge we are just small particles. Why we act anti humanity?World 🌎 protect us .but we attack other people and countries kill people 🙄 children 🙄
Looks like something breaking up. Some sort of Jumbo type Aircraft passing through
Not scary. Waste of my life coming here for this
My first impressions were that the magnetic fields lines were acting like cords of rubber bands were being twisted storing up energy (Like the rubber band engine of a balsa wood plane were being tightened. Rubberband engines composed multiple bands that when twisted form a cord and to me when the were pops in the audio recording it sounded very much like a rubber band breaking and making a snap sound.)
I thought I heard the voices of people , like someone talking in some foreign language over and intercom system to issue a command. There would be periodically be what seemed to be a somewhat rhythmic metal on metal grinding or being dragged some where. Then near the end the a supervisor of an intercom voice barks a question and two high pitched voice like sounds reply some response to answer.
I also heard what sounded like a pirate boat creaking to the waves rocking it.
OVERALL it important, factory or BIG engineered machine like a hollow planet being maintenanced so that over the course of thousand of years keeps planetary spin is maintained by gianormis cords of magnetic field lines
that acting like rubberbands store and release energy stored and collected from the solar wind, resulting in a transfer of torque in rotational momentum.
YEP, that is what popped into my head listening to that recording. My thanks to everyone who contributed in effort to bring such and interesting experience about.
The first bits sound like someone trapped in chains anxiously waiting for what happens next…strange. Why would magnetic fields make that sound, and how? It reminds me of the recordings they had of the angels chained under the Euphrates that the Bible mentions will be released to kill a third of humanity when it fully dries up…
We also have proof of the changes in the magnetic from test done on the ocean and sea bottoms showing alternating strips.
Could these magnetic fields test show that all planets magnetic fields are different and have their own sound signature.
Is it possible that all planets are interconnected by magnetic field motorways in the sky that future astronauts can beam and tune in on each one giving off a different signal so they can tune in to the planet they wish to go to. As long as they know the earth’s signature to follow it back hopefully they should never get lost
Just to let you know those are the sounds of satan getting ready for his people repent while you still have a chance god has giving us all this time to repent and seek him but your so stuck in leaving this sinfull world please my brothers and sisters repent and seek the lord dont lose your faith let it be his will and not ours may god bless us all
It doesn’t sound scary. It sounds like an ancient creaking machinery built partially by wood and metal
Inside of a grain mill, maybe. With some animal grunting and growling sounds thrown in, and chains ringing.
Wow very scary sound , hope governments around the world take notice how fragile our 🌎 planet it’s , we most protect what we have now for futures generations.
It certainly is scary to listen to. It reminded me of the earthquake we had registered at 6.4 l had never been so scared l thought the world was crashing down on us.
God is sooooo powerful!!!