Sun Will Flip
The sun is gearing up for a major solar flip, NASA says.
In an event that occurs once every 11 years, the magnetic field of the sun will change its polarity in a matter of months, according to new observations by NASA-supported observatories.
"It looks like we're no more than three to four months away from a complete field reversal,"
Those of us who rely on a magnetic compass to find our way around here on earth appreciate the dynamics of the earth's magnetic field. Navigator's refer to the difference between "True" direction and "Magnetic" direction (at a given location) on earth as "variation." Knowing the difference, and the annual rate of change, is important when using a magnetic compass to determine direction. What does this have to do with the sun? Nothing, but it reminds us that nothing remains the same, and we constantly have to allow for change. The earth's magnetic field is constantly changing, and it is said that earth's polarity will eventually reverse. Fortunately, we don't have to deal with a polarity reversal every 11 years here on earth.
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