On October 17, Rob Stammes, a Norwegian citizen scientist, detected a rare magnetic oscillation in Earth\u2019s magnetic field from his space weather observatory in Lofoten, Norway. The event, termed a \u201cpulsation continuous\u201d or Pc3 in this case, lasted for over 20 minutes and was caused by a gentle gust of solar wind. The event was unexpected as it occurred near the Solar Maximum, contrasting with the typical appearance of Pc3 waves during low geomagnetic activity in the Solar Minimum.<\/strong><\/p>\n In Lofoten, Norway, Rob Stammes\u2019 magnetometer displayed an unusual magnetic oscillation lasting for more than 20 minutes. This long-lasting oscillation indicated very low geomagnetic activity, as the magnetometer\u2019s needle settled into a straight line. The magnetic field exhibited a stable, approximately 25-second oscillation, swinging back and forth by roughly 0.1 degrees, peak to peak.<\/p>\n Stammes, who runs a space weather observatory, has long been an observer of such phenomena, commonly referred to as \u201cpulsation continuous\u201d or Pc waves, SpaceWeather reports. These waves are classified into five types based on their period, and the waves Stammes detected fall into the category known as Pc3. The Pc3 classification of the waves highlighted the event\u2019s rarity, primarily because it occurred close to the period of Solar Maximum when the magnetometer traces are usually too noisy for such delicate observations.<\/p>\n The cause of this magnetic tranquility was identified as a gentle gust of solar wind. The solar wind\u2019s interaction with Earth\u2019s magnetic field led to these Pc3 waves, essentially resembling flutters traveling down the sides of Earth\u2019s magnetosphere, excited by the Sun\u2019s breath. This is akin to the effect of blowing across a piece of paper and making it flutter.<\/p>\n While Pc3 waves are most commonly observed during Solar Minimum, when geomagnetic activity is generally low for extended periods, this event was a surprise due to its proximity to the Solar Maximum. Stammes noted that his magnetometer readings had been too noisy recently to pick up such subtle oscillations.<\/p>\n Although Pc3 waves can sometimes flow around Earth\u2019s magnetic field and result in a \u201ctearing instability,\u201d leading to magnetic reconnection and subsequent geomagnetic storms, this did not occur on October 17. The magnetosphere returned to its state of tranquility following the oscillation.<\/p>\n References:<\/p>\n 1<\/sup> A Pure Sine Wave in the Magnetosphere \u2013 Space Weather \u2013 October 19, 2023<\/p>\n Featured image credit: NASA<\/em><\/p>\n If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.<\/p>\n <\/center> Wednesday, November 8, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Monday, November 6, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Saturday, November 4, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Friday, October 27, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Tuesday, September 26, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Thursday, September 21, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n![\"pc3](\"https:\/\/watchers.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pc3-pulsation-october-17-2023-polarlightcenter.webp\")
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