Geomagnetics/magnetics

[Gant]

Is there a differance between the geomagnetic field of the Earth,and the magnetic field of a magnet? And how far does the Earth's geomagnetic field reach into space?

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

There isn't much difference, except Earth's is bigger.

[[Tycho?]]

A magnetic field is infinite in extent, so it reaches out forever.

[LucidDreamer]

I think tycho is right and that magnetic fields created by electromagnetic forces is like all other forces and it has infinite reach. But like gravity, the effects of a magnetic field become smaller and smaller as you get farther away until its pretty much inconsequential.

[Gant]

hmmm,,,then the magnetic field becomes unmeasureable after a certain distance?

[LucidDreamer]

I think that at some point if we headed out into space we would be unable to measure earth's magnetic field with current instrumentation.

[Sayonara]

With more sensitive equipment you'd be able to detect it further away, but I imagine there would come a point where it was indistinguishable from other fields.

[Gant]

Then,,,lemme go out on a limb,,,if the earths geomagnetic field is no different than a magnets magnetic field,,,then it is theoretically possible to generate a magnetic field on a probe to help push itself away from the Earth,,or is this a TOTALLY different type of field?

 

I think i hear that limb breaking,,lol

[ydoaPs]

are you talking about superconductors for levetation or deflection of said probe?

[Gant]

mmmm,yes

[tecvia]

Earth's magnetic field is confused, w/ very poor alignement and fluid [no pun intended] in vector and amplitude. Magnetic waves come from aligned electron movement [orbital or atom to atom flow], no matter the source. Once emitted it should be infinite. To the propulsion question, at the north magnetic pole would a magnetic "north down" pole weight be lighter than in the "south down position? How much? Field strength and distance? Tecvia