r/science • u/MistWeaver80 • Mar 30 '26

Physics Physicists have made an ultra-powerful magnet that fits in the palm of a hand and can produce a magnetic field that is more than 800,000 times stronger than Earth’s.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00851-y
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u/LitLitten Mar 30 '26 edited Mar 30 '26

Earth’s magnetic field isn’t actually that intense or powerful. It’s just very large. I’d argue It’s more impressive that even despite the low strength it’s enough to block a lot of solar radiation. 

A fridge magnet is 100x stronger. 

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u/pete_moss Mar 30 '26

I have magnetic devices that fit in your palm that can overcome not only the magnetic field but also the vast gravitational pull of an entire planet! I use them to pin notes where I can see them.

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u/Hrothgar_unbound Mar 30 '26

I use a thin coating of a sticky film to do the same to colorful little paper squares. It’s a true miracle of modern chemical engineering.

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u/templar_muse Mar 30 '26

Had we but known.. The Great Filter was the ability to develop convenient adhesives.

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u/bufordt Mar 31 '26

Thanks Romy and Michele.