NASA is closely monitoring an unusual “dent” in Earth’s magnetic field, which stretches from South America to southwest Africa. The region of lower magnetic intensity has been a concern for researchers for years and is believed to be weakening due to the presence of dense rock 1,800 miles below Africa. This weakening effect allows charged particles from the Sun to penetrate closer to the surface than normal, posing a risk to NASA’s satellites and spacecraft.
The agency is taking precautions to protect its assets by shutting down non-essential components as they pass through the anomaly. The region has been expanding and splitting into two lobes, creating more challenges for satellite missions. Scientists have also suggested that the phenomenon could be a recurrent magnetic event that may have occurred 11 million years ago.
The weakened magnetic field can cause temporary glitches in satellites if hit by high-energy particles and permanent damage if key components are affected. NASA is working to better understand the anomaly and mitigate its impact on future satellite missions.
Source: https://www.the-express.com/news/space-news/158813/nasa-dent-easrht-magnetic-field-south-Atlantic-anomaly