A fissure in Earth's magnetic field has rendered the magnetic buffer of our planet in a dilemma as infinite cosmic rays from the galaxy are becoming a part of Earth's atmosphere.
Our planet is surrounded by a magnetic field, which in turn allows us to adapt to a habitable lifestyle and protects us from detrimental solar rays and cosmic emissions. However, the magnetic field is once again the subject of concern.
According to Wired, our planet is once again exposed to risky rays, which can cause irreparable damage to the human life. Detected by the GRAPES - 3 moun telescope in Ooty, India, there was a sudden increase in the cosmic rays entering from the galaxy, pointing out to a serious case of Earth's magnetic shield being depleted.
The crack in the Earth's magnetic shield was highlighted by the researchers at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Based on the research, it is predicted that the entering of cosmic rays is linked to catastrophic geomagnetic storms in the northern hemisphere.
The occurrence is not one of a kind. It was previously surfaced when a study was published in Physical Review Letters back in June 2015. The matter was brought to the attention of many, however, it is for the first time that its intensity has been revealed.
Scientists have finally discovered that our so-called protective layer is not so secure at all as the crack within the magnetosphere has been brutally damaged.
According to Science Alert, for two hours on 22nd June 2015, particles from the surface of the sun emitted at the speed of 2.5 million kilometers per hour and eventually landed on the surface of the Earth. These high-speed particles that struck our planet allowed the magnetosphere to shrink from 11 times to four times the total earth's radius.
The phenomenon has been explained by Katherine Wright on the American Physical Society Website as "Earth's magnetic field deflects most cosmic rays, protecting living things from harmful radiation. But large geomagnetic storms can reconfigure this protective shield, opening up weak spots that let radiation and cosmic rays slip through.
This vulnerability can occur when magnetized plasma from the Sun deforms Earth's magnetic field, stretching its shape at the poles and diminishing its ability to deflect charged particles."
Scientists who are working hard to understand the background of our Earth's defense system maintain that there is no panacea to sort out the crack within the magnetic sphere. However, they have maintained that the geomagnetic storm was so intense that it can actually "reconfigure" the entire magnetic sphere, letting open further cracks and cosmic rays to ramp up.
The good news is that the crack was observed on a temporary basis, but it has given birth to serious questions as the current incident proved that our magnetic shield is pretty vulnerable.
The research has been published in Physical Review Letters.
