Strong magnets tend to be large and power-hungry, but a new design has produced a powerful magnet that fits in the palm of your hand, making it more practical and affordable ...

When we think of powerful magnets used in particle accelerators or for NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), we often envision bulky machines, sometimes the size of buildings. But in an extraordinary ...

A new study reveals Earth's magnetic flips can last up to 70,000 years, exposing life to increased solar radiation.

Scientists discover that the Earth's magnetic poles can take up to 70,000 years to reverse, much longer than previously ...

Ancient bricks inscribed with the names of Mesopotamian kings have yielded important insights into a mysterious anomaly in Earth's magnetic field 3,000 years ago, according to a new study. Ancient ...

Old Apollo rocks are providing a fresh take on the moon's magnetic field ...

The universe is soaked in weak-but-persistent magnetic fields. Despite decades of research, astronomers still aren't exactly sure where these magnetic fields came from. But new research suggests they ...

Earth’s magnetic shield is shifting in dramatic ways. New data from ESA’s Swarm satellites show that the South Atlantic Anomaly — a vast weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field — has grown by nearly half ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. David Bressan is a geologist who covers curiosities about Earth. Without its magnetic field, life on Earth would not be possible ...

Although the Earth’s magnetic field is reliable enough for navigation and is also essential for blocking harmful solar emissions and for improving radio communications, it’s not a uniform strength ...