Would an exo planet's magnetic field be detectable from earth?
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Message boards : SETI@home Science : Would an exo planet's magnetic field be detectable from earth?

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Profile Bob DeWoody
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Message 1345689 - Posted: 12 Mar 2013, 4:07:46 UTC

Assuming a suitable planet for either having intelligent beings or supporting colonists needs a significant magnetic field has it been determined whether such a magnetic field can be detected with equipment now in use or in development? If a planet has a magnetic field won't that field have an impact on it's star's solar wind. I know that just having a magnetic field does not make a planet habitable but conversely not having such a field seems to rule out the emergence of life and the ability to support it.
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Profile kenzieB
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Message 1345815 - Posted: 12 Mar 2013, 13:27:32 UTC

Unfortunately, I would think not. AFAIK we haven't the technology to even directly detect magnetic fields around planets in our own solar system. They've been inferred through observed effects and in the case of a couple planets magnetometer on spacecraft. Neither would be practical for planets that are many light-years distant.
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Message boards : SETI@home Science : Would an exo planet's magnetic field be detectable from earth?

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