Solar Storm

California gray whales like these mothers and calves are 4.3 times more likely to strand themselves during a burst of cosmic radio static from a solar flare, further evidence that they navigate by Earth's magnetic field.Some whale strandings may be due to solar storms and sunspots, a new study suggests.According…

2019 saw 215 whales stranded on beaches, and many of them died.New research trying to understand how and why this was happening shows that whales quite possibly use the Earth’s magnetic field to self navigate. Solar storms can disrupt the magnetic field, thus rendering the whales blind – and stranded.…

Off CourseA massive new study on gray whale behavior suggests that they navigate the seas, at least in part, by sensing the Earth’s magnetic field and using it as a guide.Unfortunately, that also means that when the magnetosphere is disrupted by a solar storm, it can have disastrous effects. In…

Solar storms may affect the navigation sense of California gray whales, researchers report. Many animals can sense the Earth’s magnetic field and use it like a GPS to navigate during their long migrations. However, solar storms could be disrupting that signal, says Jesse Granger, a biophysics graduate student who studies…

A new study reported in the journal Current Biology on February 24 offers some of the first evidence that gray whales might depend on a magnetic sense to find their way through the ocean. This evidence comes from the discovery that whales are more likely to strand on days when…

Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study reported in the journal Current Biology on February 24 offers some of the first evidence that gray whales might depend on a magnetic sense to find their way through the ocean. This evidence comes from the discovery that whales are more likely to…

Grey whales may be "blinded" by solar storms, according to a new study published in the journal Current Biology. The solar activity interferes with the whales’ internal magnetic navigation system, causing them to become stranded on the shore, often resulting in death.Many species of whales have been observed undertaking mammoth…

A solar storm can throw whales off-course, suggesting that the large animals might have an internal compass. Ed Yong 11:00 AM ET ReutersThe first clear evidence that some animals have a magnetic sense came from a simple-enough experiment—put an animal in a box, change the magnetic fields around it, and…

Scientists aren't sure how whales navigate during long underwater migrations, but a new study lends credence to the idea that they use Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves.The research found that during solar storms, gray whales are more likely to get stranded on shore.The researchers suggests that these solar storms…

People look at a beached dead gray whale at Ocean Beach on May 6, 2019 in San Francisco, California.Justin Sullivan/GettyScientists aren't sure how whales navigate during long underwater migrations, but a new study lends credence to the idea that they use Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves.The research found that…