Thoughts on magnetic fields and life on planets.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of magnetic fields, particularly in relation to life on planets, including the possibility of life existing on planets with multiple magnetic poles. Participants explore various aspects of magnetic fields, radiation, and the definition of life, considering both theoretical and speculative viewpoints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reflects on the relationship between Jupiter's magnetic field and the potential for life on non-dipolar planets, citing various articles as inspiration.
  • Another participant notes the harmful effects of solar wind radiation on life, while acknowledging the existence of life forms on Earth that thrive in extreme conditions, such as mid-ocean vents.
  • A participant questions how life, particularly single-celled organisms and plants, would be affected by magnetic fields on multipolar planets, separate from radiation concerns.
  • Reference is made to Earth's historical magnetic pole reversals, suggesting that while multiple pole pairs existed, they did not necessarily lead to the extinction of life, though effects remain uncertain.
  • Some participants emphasize that Earth is predominantly a dipolar planet, contrasting it with the hypothetical multipolar planets under discussion.
  • A participant expresses difficulty in finding scientific literature on multipolar planets, suggesting that the topic may not be grounded in verifiable research.
  • Concerns are raised about the stability of multiple magnetic poles, with an analogy drawn to fridge magnets that tend to collapse to a stable configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of multipolar magnetic fields for life. There are competing views regarding the stability of such conditions and the relevance of existing research.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on speculative reasoning and lack definitive scientific backing. The discussion highlights the challenges in defining life and the complexities of magnetic field interactions with biological systems.

unusually_wrong
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After reading about Jupiter's magnetic field on ScienceAlert, I remembered another article about tree bark and magnetic anomalies (links below). I also remembered an article on birds being able to see magnetic fields as well. It got me thinking of how and if life is possible on anything other than a dipolar planet.What are your thoughts on this and my apologies if this is posted in a wrong section.
https://www.sciencealert.com/jupiter-magnetic-field-asymmetrical-great-blue-spot-juno-strange-dynamo

https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/691/cv/kletetschka/Trunks.pdf
 
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It is true that radiation from the solar wind would be harmful to life as we know it. But non-carbon based life forms have been discussed many times on past PF threads. Lacking details, its hard to say how sensitive they might be to radiation.

It is also true that we have life on Earth at the mid-ocean vents so deep in water as to be unaffected by radiation at the surface.

So it comes down to the perpetually elusive problem, Provide an all-inclusive definition of life.
 
I mean more of a planet with multiple magnetic poles. I wonder how anything from single cell to just plant life would be affected (not by the radiation, but the magnetic fields themselves).
 
See https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1546763 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_reversal

NASA_54559main_comparison1_strip.gif


That implies that Earth had multiple pole pairs at least transiently during pole reversal events. Since we are here, that is evidence that it did not wipe out life on Earth. But it does not prove that it did not have some effect.
 

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Sure, but we're mostly a dipolar planet. I speak of planets that are multipolar.
 
I cannot find anything on the topic. Since you insist on multipolar planets and worded your title the way you did, which says 'let us speculate', I'm moving the thread to GD. It is not science-based. We want verifiable research from journals and standard textbooks.
 
The only article (not published) is noted here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4985-solar-wind-to-shield-earth-during-pole-flip/
This means the paper had problems, since it did not make it into publication. As far as I can tell.

The pop science article says that during pole flip ( when there are multiple poles), Most of the solar wind is still deflected.

So we do not have any real reason to consider multipole planets this way, it appears. Plus, no good publications really being the primary reason.
 
Multiple magnetic poles while possible is an unstable condition that can't last very long.
I tried it with fridge magnets and always they collapse to something stable.
 

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