The Polar Opposite
The Earth's magnetic poles have reversed in the past, but the last swap happened before modern humans existed. When is the next pole swap due, and what will happen to us?
No one knows why the Earth's magnetic North and South poles swap. But polar reversals have happened hundreds of times over the history of the Earth.
So, asks John Turk, when is the next pole swap due and what will happen to us?
Hannah turns to astronomer Lucie Green from Mullard Space Science Laboratory to discover how the earth's magnetic field protects us from the ravages of space. And Adam consults geophysicist Phil Livermore from the University of Leeds to find out if, and when, we're facing a global apocalypse.
Plus astronaut Terry Virts, author of The View from Above, describes his experiences of a strange magnetic glitch in the earth's magnetic field, known as The Bermuda Triangle of Space, which could help us prepare for the next event.
Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford
Producer: Michelle Martin.
Last on
More episodes
Clip
-
![]()
The Bermuda Triangle of Space
Duration: 01:26
Broadcast
- Tue 26 Sep 2017 12:0491热爆 Radio 4
Why do you see faces in unexpected places?
We are 鈥渉ardwired鈥� for recognising faces and it starts at birth.
Podcast
-
![]()
Curious Cases
Hannah Fry and Dara 脫 Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!
