Nova - Magnetic Storm

Starring:Nova
Studio: Wgbh Boston
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
What is weakening Earth's invisible shield? Magnets have the power to attract and repelsometimes on a massive scale. The Earth's molten corea violent mix of searing heat, crushing pressure, and a billion trillion tons of liquid ironcreates an invisible shield that surrounds the globe, guarding against a constant barrage of deadly radiation from space. But over the last few decades, the Earth's magnetic field has weakened dramatically, intriguing scientists across the globe.

The power generated 2000 miles beneath our feet protects us every day, but the loss of Earth's magnetic field is a brewing storm that affects us all. While experts research and debate, persistent questions remain. Is a rare geomagnetic reversal the cause of earth's inner turmoil? And if the magnetic field were to vanish altogether, would Earth become as lifeless as Mars?

Travel from Hawaii's molten lava flows to the mountains of Oregon and into the far reaches of outer space for a charged look at Earth's magnetic history and potentially deadly future.

Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

Description

What is weakening Earth's invisible shield? Magnets have the power to attract and repel—sometimes on a massive scale. The Earth's molten core—a violent mix of searing heat, crushing pressure, and a billion trillion tons of liquid iron—creates an invisible shield that surrounds the globe, guarding against a constant barrage of deadly radiation from space. But over the last few decades, the Earth's magnetic field has weakened dramatically, intriguing scientists across the globe.

Travel from Hawaii's molten lava flows to the mountains of Oregon and into the far reaches of outer space for a charged look at Earth's magnetic history and potentially deadly future.

Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews:

Truly a magnetic show.......2007-05-13

A marvelous collection of current research on the Earth's magnetic field. The only video I have that other science teachers keep borrowing and borrowing. It starts with reasonable questions about the possible disappearance or change of our magnetic field and clearly and logically follows the chain of research up to what we know in the current day. The use of ancient pottery, Hawaiian lava, the Royal Navy, and other compelling evidence ends with a clear and understandable picture of our current understanding. The final questions and possible futures it ends with have been starting points for some great discussions. In a decade or two research might make this show outdated, but it is currently wonderful.

Awesome.......2007-02-09

I had seen part of the Magenetic Storm months ago on KQED. It is an amazing story about magnetic polarity of the earths core. It also gives you an better uderstanding of global warming, in directly. Very educational!

Interesting and good enough for me.......2007-02-01

I found this DVD by incident. Since there are not so many DVD's about this topic, I just bought it out of curiosity and am happy I have done that.

This film discusses about the fading of the magnetic field of the Earth. It turns out to be a reversal: the north and south poles will flip every 200,000 years in average. Fading is just part of the process, not the result. and we are just being in this process. The reason, however, is not well explained in this film. They just said scientists put many factors into consideration and form many equations to have been solved by a super computer. If you are a hard-core technical fan, this is what will disappoint you.

Despite of this, the other parts are quite abundant, entertaining and educational. This topic can be related to the dying of the Mars, ancient potteries, lava rocks from volcanoes and even the Royal Navy's logs. In addition, the importance of the magnetic field is also emphasized.

Overall, this film is well made and it is relaxing to watch.

Magnificent.......2006-11-06

This is a magnificent documentary program, which let us know what could happen if the magnetic shield of the Earth dissapears. I'm a physicist and a high school teacher, so i use the program to introduce to my students to the study of the solar wind on Earth, and the liquid core of the Earth. They were surprised because they didn't think that the Earth's core produce the magnetic shield that protect us from the solar radiation.
The program shows a very interesting experiment that recreates the earth, the core and the efects. Besides there are interviews with scientists that have been working with the polarity of the magnetic field produced by the Earth's core. Definitely a superb program for all ages.

Quite informative and not technical.......2004-05-16

This DVD leads us through time to examine the strength of the Earth¡¦s magnetic field through various perspectives, from potteries to volcano rocks. It also briefly describes the consequences of Earth without the protection of the magnetic field, how Earth generates the magnetic field, and when the next reversal of magnetic field occurs.

I find that the information on the DVD is not detailed enough. However, the PBS website (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/magnetic/) gives me a better understanding of the Earth¡¦s magnetic field.

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