How Animals and Humans Detect and Use Earth’s Magnetic Field – Indian Defence Review

Birds don’t just follow landmarks or the stars—they might actually see Earth’s magnetic field. Scientists have uncovered a surprising quantum secret hidden in their eyes.The Earth’s magnetic field is an invisible force that surrounds the planet, protecting us from solar winds and playing a crucial role in life on Earth. While humans rely on tools like compasses to navigate, many animals have evolved to sense this magnetic field directly. From birds making cross-continental migrations to dogs navigating their backyards, it’s clear that Earth’s geomagnetic field is far more than just a force of nature – it’s a powerful tool for life.Birds are perhaps the most well-known animals to harness the power of the Earth’s magnetic field. From the European robin to migratory species like the common starling, birds rely on this invisible force to guide them across vast distances. But how exactly do they do it? The secret lies in a quantum process involving cryptochromes, proteins found in their eyes.Recent research suggests that birds can ‘see’ the Earth’s magnetic field through quantum entanglement. When light particles hit the cryptochromes in the birds’ eyes, they enter a delicate, unstable state influenced by the magnetic field. This allows birds to sense the magnetic field with astonishing precision.What’s even more fascinating is that the quantum states in birds seem to last much longer than expected, an ability that even outpaces the best human-made experiments.How does this work ? Scientists believe it happens through the following steps :This quantum-based navigation system gives birds a remarkable advantage, allowing them to migrate thousands of miles with pinpoint accuracy.While birds use Earth’s geomagnetic field to navigate, other animals seem to employ it for more everyday activities. For instance, dogs have been observed aligning themselves north-south during defecation. Though the reason behind this peculiar behavior remains unclear, it suggests that dogs, too, can sense the Earth’s magnetic field. Cows, deer, and even foxes demonstrate similar tendencies, with foxes using the field for more strategic purposes, such as hunting.Other animals that use Earth’s magnetic field include :These behaviors suggest that magnetoreception is far more widespread than we once thought.Foxes have demonstrated a surprising link between magnetoreception and hunting success. A study found that foxes prefer to jump in a north-east direction when hunting small prey, and their success rate is nearly three times higher when they follow this magnetic axis. This highlights just how fine-tuned these animals’ interaction with Earth’s magnetic field can be, using it to maximize their chances of success in the wild.How foxes use magnetoreception to hunt :This built-in “magnetic targeting system” shows just how diverse the applications of Earth’s geomagnetic field can be in the animal kingdom.Humans, unlike many other species, have a long history of relying on technology to understand the Earth’s magnetic field. But could we, too, possess the ability to sense it? Some research suggests that humans might have a dormant or latent form of magnetoreception. Studies have shown subtle changes in human brain activity when exposed to electromagnetic fields, suggesting that we may be able to sense the Earth’s magnetic field on some level. However, scientists still debate whether this is a true form of magnetoreception or just an incidental effect of electromagnetic interference.What scientists have discovered about humans and magnetoreception :Further research is required to determine whether humans possess a functional magnetoreception system or if the observed brainwave responses are incidental reactions to electromagnetic stimuli.Got a reaction? Share your thoughts in the commentsEnjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free Newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest newsComment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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