Magnetism
Latest about magnetism
![A group of penguins gather on the ice in Antarctica.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7boFGwkGi92rWmeX58QpXo-320-80.jpg)
How Do Compasses Tell Which Way Is North at the South Pole?
By Chia-Yi Hou published
As compasses draw closer to the magnetic North and South Poles, they become less reliable.
![A representation of Earth and its magnetic field.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PAW38UyB3A3qAN4sf7sDcH-320-80.jpg)
Earth's Magnetic Poles Can Flip Much More Often Than Anyone Thought
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
Earth's magnetic field flipped 26 times every million years during the Cambrian period, the highest frequency ever documented.
![Around Earth, an invisible magnetic field traps electrons and other charged particles.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tQtZxvDJ9i6wwifKchQBS-320-80.jpg)
What If Earth's Magnetic Field Disappeared?
By Stephanie Pappas published
Earth's magnetic field is weakening, but it's not the end of the world.
![Artist's Rendering of an Outburst on a Magnetar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qQZ8PbMsjjxVHw26MKWBed-320-80.jpg)
Magnetars Can Crack Themselves Open and Bombard Earth with Gamma-Ray Flares, New Theory Suggests
By Rafi Letzter published
Three giant gamma-ray flares have been detected in the last 40 years. A new paper on magnetars cracking themselves open could explain why.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KGLYcguYKoChFnByMfZdGF-320-80.jpg)
Epic 'Terminator' Events Could Result in Gargantuan Solar Tsunamis, New Studies Suggest
By Brandon Specktor published
What causes the sun's 11-year cycle of sunspot activity? According to two new studies, it could be literal tsunamis of plasma.
![The permanently magnetized liquid droplets spin in perfect unison.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9S7d2hFB2vum8Zr4FKLEc4-320-80.gif)
In a Lab Accident, Scientists Create the First-Ever Permanently Magnetic Liquid
By Yasemin Saplakoglu published
These liquid droplets can morph into various shapes and be externally manipulated to move around.
![Streamlines showing magnetic fields layered over a color image of the dusty ring around the Milky Way’s massive black hole.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZDQ2yyyS48WrJDwjo8PRQ7-320-80.jpg)
Is This Invisible Magnetic Field Smothering Our Nearest Supermassive Black Hole?
By Rafi Letzter published
The monster black hole at the center of the Milky Way is eerily quiet, and now astronomers think they know why.
![Motorcyclist on highway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m9D5M5c4wWZDhkWgvNKbcW-320-80.jpg)
Lightning Strikes and Kills Motorcyclist. Why Rubber Tires Didn't Protect Him.
By Laura Geggel published
Here's why a motorcycle's rubber tires didn't protect the rider when lightning struck.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.