How much energy is in the solar wind plus

[cskoog]

I have wondered lately about the amount of energy which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. Further, to the extent not converted to light as with the auroras, what happens to it in the interaction? If the energy is significant, is it in any way absorbed, transferred or otherwise lead to induce energy into or along the magnetic field? Might it then ultimately energize the core? Probably crazy talk...

 

[Dotini]

I have wondered lately about the amount of energy which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. Further, to the extent not converted to light as with the auroras, what happens to it in the interaction? If the energy is significant, is it in any way absorbed, transferred or otherwise lead to induce energy into or along the magnetic field? Might it then ultimately energize the core? Probably crazy talk...

Yes, you are crazy. But since there's no fixing that, you can look at this:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/27jul_spacequakes/

Respectfully,
Dotini

 

[Dotini]

These two videos show spectacular "quake lights" and lightning strokes during the Japan 7.1 quake of April 7, 2011:


If that weren't awesome but puzzling enough, add into the mix a CME, launched April 4, threatened to brush our magnetosphere "around the 6th", according to NASA's forecast.

http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/browse/2011/04/03/ahead_20110403_cor2_256.mpg
http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=04&month=04&year=2011

Respectfully submitted, eager for correction,
Dotini

 

[davenn]

I wouldn't put them down to anything more mysterious than electric power lines etc arcing out with the shaking of power poles etc.


Dave

 

[davenn]

I have wondered lately about the amount of energy which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. Further, to the extent not converted to light as with the auroras, what happens to it in the interaction? If the energy is significant, is it in any way absorbed, transferred or otherwise lead to induce energy into or along the magnetic field? Might it then ultimately energize the core? Probably crazy talk...

millions (zillions) of Watts of energy is induced into the Earth by the interaction of the solar wind charged particles particularly during the major CME's (coronal mass ejections) and the Earth's magnetic field. This is observed in at least a couple of ways...
huge induced electrical currents into cross country oil pipelines in Canada and Alaska (and presumably in Russia)
and also huge induced currents into hi latitude nationwide electrical grids that often lead to massive power blackouts as systems totally overload as has happened in years gone bye

Dave