How does a magnetic compass work? Well, it’s all down to basic physics and human ingenuity. The key component of a standard baseplate compass is its magnetized needle, which is allowed to spin freely ...

This persnickety number determines the strength of magnetic fields. It figures in everything from motors and generators to ...

New research suggests that the largest magnetic fields in the universe originated through some exotic mechanism that absolutely soaked the early cosmos.

Weak magnetic fields once exposed humans to radiation. People adapted with shelter, clothing, and mineral protection. Our ...

The compass has been around since at least the 12th century, but scientists still don't know exactly how the Earth generates the magnetic field that keeps a compass needle pointing north. But ...

For desert ants, Earth’s magnetic field isn’t just a compass: It may also sculpt their brains. Stepping outside their nest for the first time, young ants need to learn how to forage. The ants train ...

Electrons in a magnetic field can display striking behaviors, from the formation of discrete energy levels to the quantum Hall effect. These ...

"The fascination with exoplanets stems from our desire to understand our own planet better." When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The ...

New computer simulations suggest the first magnetic fields that emerged after the Big Bang were much weaker than expected — ...

Breakthrough in understanding cosmic dust alignment with galaxy's magnetic field using three different mechanisms in star-forming cloud.