NOVA - Magnetic Storm
List Price:
Our Price: $8.49
You Save: $11.42 (57%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.65 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Brand: Wgbh WholesaleDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
Running Time: 60 minutes
Published: 2004-02-01
DVD Release Date: 2004-02-17
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS
DVD Reviews of NOVA - Magnetic Storm
DVD Review: NOVA - Magnetic Storm (2003)-Another good NOVA special but did not go far enough for me.
Summary: 4 Stars
NOVA - Magnetic Storm (2003) was another good science special on the Earth's magnetic field which has been determined to be rapidly weakening based on it's current rate of change. The field may weaken to very low levels in the 21st century and then actually reverse resulting in a change in direction indicated on a compus. Also, during the very weak phase just prior to reversal, a significantly increased incidence of cancers may result in our children's lifetime which will be a problem. This is a much less serious scenario than the fictional story discussed in the sci-fi film "The Core", but still serious enough to warrant our attention.
The special discussed in some detail the ongoing transient in the Earth's liquid iron core which has been modeled by numerical integration (via time history analysis) on the super computer to weaken and reverse with time. The period appears to average out at about 200,000 years with a low of less than 100,000 years to a maximum of perhaps 1,000,000 years. Since 700,000 years have passed since the last one we are probably past due.
The reasons given for field reversals appear to have something to do with changes in liquid flow in the iron core due to convection coupled with other perhaps electrodynamic effects within the core. Some great computer graphics were exhibited demonstrating how the magnetic field is predicted to change which I wish more information had been provided on. I have done some numerical integration on the digital computer in thermal work and orbital mechanics and feel that greater detail could have been provided (on at least an intuitive level) on what is happening in the liquid core of the Earth. The film definitely deserves four stars but felt it required far more detail on exactly what is causing the periodic time history in the direction of the magnetic field of the Earth indicated by the geologic record.
Description of NOVA - Magnetic Storm
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.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.
On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
NOVA - Infinite Secrets: The Genius of ArchimedesWGBH BOSTON VIDEO; Release date: 2004-01-06; DVD
Best price: $10.27
Price in other shops:
NOVA: Solar Energy - Saved by the SunWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2007-07-31; DVD
Best price: $9.65
Price in other shops:
How the Universe WorksGaiam; Release date: 2011-06-28; DVD
Best price: $12.02
Price in other shops:
NOVA: Newton's Dark SecretsWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2006-02-28; DVD
Best price: $7.49
Price in other shops:
Inside Planet EarthImage Entertainment; Release date: 2009-08-25; DVD
Best price: $8.80
Price in other shops:
NOVA: Fractals - Hunting the Hidden DimensionWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2009-03-10; DVD
Best price: $10.48
Price in other shops:
Absolute Zero - NOVAWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Nova: Fabric of the CosmosNova; Release date: 2011-11-22; DVD
Best price: $14.85
Price in other shops:
NOVA - The Elegant UniverseWgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2004-01-20; DVD
Best price: $8.48
Price in other shops:
NOVA - Lightning!Wgbh Wholesale; Release date: 2004-06-29; DVD
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops: