By Sarah Griffiths The Earth’s magnetic field, which protects the planet from cosmic radiation, has grown weaker over the past six months. Data collected by the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites has indicated weak spots in the magnetic field. The first set of high-resolution images generated from the constellation reveals dramatic declines over the Western Hemisphere. The Earth's magnetic field, which protects the planet from solar radiation, has grown weaker over the past six months, according to satellite data. This map shows the filed from January to June. Shades of red represent areas of strengthening, while blues show areas of weakening over the 6-month period
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Data was collected by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellites
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First data set reveals dramatic declines over the Western hemisphere, but a strengthening of the Earth's magnetic field over the southern Indian Ocean
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Changes could be due to the magnetic poles getting ready to 'flip'
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Latest measurements confirm movement of magnetic North towards Siberia
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Scientists previously estimated the Earth’s magnetic field is weakening at five per cent every century and now think it could be 10 times as fast
@placeholder’s satellites pick up signals from the magnetic field as well as other sources, which could help scientists solve the mystery of why the planet’s magnetic field behaves as it does.