The interesting South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (AMAS) is deepening and expandingWhich raised increasing concern among the scientific community. This phenomenon that It affects the area over Brazil and the South Atlantic OceanThe Earth’s magnetic field is much weaker compared to other parts of the planet, which results in serious impacts on navigation systems.
The exact cause of AMAS is still unknown, but the strength of the magnetic field there falls to a third of the global average.
According to the 2023 annual report Global magnetic model (WMM), prepared by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS), in 2023 There was a decrease in the magnetic field intensity at the surface level of AMAS. In addition, the center of the anomaly moved about 20 kilometers to the west. “The affected area, which the region defines as within the 25,000nT perimeter, has increased by approximately 7% since 2020,” the report highlights.
Impacts on Brazil and global technology
Although the phenomenon It does not involve direct risks to human health or daily activities on EarthIt can cause damage to satellites and affect the propagation of radio waves.
Earth’s magnetic field: our cosmic shield against the Sun’s constant bombardment of solar winds.
While the magnetic field protects us, some particles still cause aurora borealis and geomagnetic storms.
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According to the report, “AMAS is deepening and moving westward, with direct effects on the radiation that can reach Earth.” Impact on satellite and radio propagation“
According to what he explained Al-Asr TimesThe anomaly directly affects South America, especially Brazil, where Low magnetic field intensity exposes satellites and navigation systems to high levels of cosmic radiation.
A weak magnetic field in this region can lead to malfunctions in electronic components and on-board systems, negatively affecting important communications and environmental monitoring technologies, which can They cause frequent malfunctions and even equipment outages.
Moreover, anomalies Affects the accuracy of navigation systems Which rely on accurate magnetic readings, such as compasses.
A reliable WMM model for evaluating the Earth’s magnetic field
The WMM is a spherical harmonic model of the Earth’s primary magnetic field, developed in collaboration between NCEI and BGS. It is updated every five years to reflect changes in the magnetic field.
AndThe center of the anomaly has moved about 20 km to the west.
“The accuracy of WMM2020 has been confirmed through 2024, with overall errors remaining well below the maximum limits allowed by US military specifications,” the report states. This indicates that The model remains a reliable tool for navigation and a reference for positions and trends, despite notable differences in AMAS.
The data used to monitor and predict changes in the magnetic field are collected by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Swarm constellation.. These data are crucial to understanding the dynamics of AMAS and developing strategies to mitigate its negative impacts.
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