Hear ‘alien-like’ sounds of Earth’s magnetic field from 41,000 years ago

The Earth's magnetic field is essential to life as we know it. But it’s something we can never see – or hear, until now.

In a recent study released on Oct. 10 by the European Space Agency, researchers from the German Research Centre for Geosciences and the Technical University of Denmark created a soundscape visualization of the Laschamp event by mapping the previous movements of Earth's magnetic field lines.

According to NASA, the Laschamp event, occurred about 41,000 years ago, which caused a short reversal of Earth's magnetic field. Earth's magnetic field became weaker during this period, falling to at least 5% of its present strength. This made it possible for more cosmic rays to enter the Earth’s atmosphere, according to the European Space Agency.

What is the Earth’s magnetic field?

The Earth's magnetic field is our invisible protector. The field creates a barrier that shields us from the powerful solar winds. The magnetic field can occasionally become disrupted by stronger solar winds. Stunning auroras are created when the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field.

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The European Space Agency launched three Swarm satellites in 2013 to help understand how our magnetic field is generated. The satellites monitor the unique magnetic signals that originate from the Earth's core, as well as from the mantle, crust, and oceans and the Earth’s outer magnetosphere. The satellites are also revealing new data on space weather.

The eerie sound of Earth’s magnetic field

The soundscape incorporates natural sounds such as creaking wood, falling rocks and other sounds which were then blended together in an "alien-like" sounds.

“The team used data from European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites, as well as other sources, and used these magnetic signals to manipulate and control a sonic representation of the core field. The project has certainly been a rewarding exercise in bringing art and science together,” said Klaus Nielsen, a musician and project supporter from the Technical University of Denmark, according to the space agency’s website.

Nielsen continued, "The intention, of course, is not to frighten people – it is a quirky way of reminding us that the magnetic field exists and although its rumble is a little unnerving, the existence of life on Earth is dependent on it."

SOURCE European Space Agency, NASA, LiveScience.com and Paste BN research