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@dang can we please update this title to actually reflect the source title: "Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weake
by geuis 2y ago
@dang can we please update this title to actually reflect the source title: "Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weaken Earth's magnetic field and cause 'atmospheric stripping.' Should we be worried?"
Generally, no this isnt possible. The planet's magnetic field is generated naturally by the movement of so much hot iron and other elements it eclipses the total of most of the other freely available metals in the solar system.
The Earth isn't the biggest planet, but we have the biggest single conglomeration of metals outside of the gas giants. Combine Luna, Mars, and all of the known asteroids and it only almost comes to a similar mass.
A few dozen tons of launched material isn't going to have any noticeable impact on our magnetic field.
- briantakita 2y ago> @dang can we please update this title to actually reflect the source title: "Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weaken Earth's magnetic field and cause 'atmospheric stripping.' Should we be worried?" I tried to keep the same name as the article, but had to shorten it due to HN's character restrictions. The shortening could be interpreted to sensationalize. But it's purely intended to include all relevant elements in the title. While within the character limit. I tried & this was the best I could do. I was hoping that the word *could* would imply the speculative nature of the article.