Magnetism

The shape of Earth's magnetic field is the result of both the planet's north and south magnetic poles as well as the stream of particles coming from the sun.
The shape of Earth's magnetic field is the result of both the planet's north and south magnetic poles as well as the stream of particles coming from the sun. (Image credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)

Magnets, those objects that attract or repel each other, are more than staples of your refrigerator door. They are found in just about every laptop and the force they produce protects Earthlings from some lethal radiation from space. Live Science keeps up with the most interesting discoveries related to magnets and magnetism.

Latest about magnetism

A still image of the solar tornado rising above the sun.

Gigantic 'solar tornado' taller than 14 Earths raged for 3 days. What caused it?

By Harry Baker published

A massive solar tornado recently towered over the sun's north pole for three days. The plasma twister was created by a rapidly rotating magnetic field.

Paranormal Haunting

Science of the Paranormal: Can You Trust Your Own Mind?

By Stephanie Pappas last updated

A trip through the scientific research into paranormal experiences leads directly to the human brain.

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The Shady Science of Ghost Hunting

By Benjamin Radford last updated

Ghost hunters use some very high-tech equipment and plenty of illogic. And somehow they fail to find what they seek. But of course, the hunt continues.

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Wireless Devices Overwhelm Nature's Signals

By Jeremy Hsu last updated

The "electronic fog" of manmade signals could dampen scientific discoveries.

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Plasma Waves Studied for New Electronics

By William Stillman last updated

Bill Stillman leaves a long career as an engineer to go back to school and learn a new field.

Solar wind and geomagnetic storm

Ice Samples Reveal a Massive Sun Storm Hit Earth in Ancient Times...And It Could Happen Again

By Charles Q. Choi last updated

A gigantic solar storm hit Earth about 2,600 years ago, one about 10 times stronger than any solar storm recorded in the modern day, a new study finds.

skyglow steve

Eerie Sky Glow Called 'Steve' Isn't an Aurora, Is 'Completely Unknown' to Science

By Brandon Specktor last updated

There is a beautiful mystery in the sky, and its name is Steve.

An abstract drawing of particles with squiggly waves

Physicists discover never-before seen particle sitting on a tabletop

By Robert Lea published

This newly-discovered particle could account for dark matter.

Navstar-2F GPS satellite

8 ways you can see Einstein's theory of relativity in real life

By Jesse Emspak published

Reference Relativity is one of the most famous scientific theories of the 20th century, but how well does it explain the things we see in our daily lives?

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Gamma-ray bursts observed by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on NASA’s Fermi satellite during its first decade. Credit to NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT Collaboration

What is electromagnetic radiation?

By Jim Lucas published

Reference Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that includes radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays, as well as visible light.

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