New Study Suggests Space Junk Could Weaken Earth's Magnetic Field

A controversial paper warns that the accumulation of conductive dust from satellite debris could have significant impacts on Earth's magnetic field.

A recent paper, still awaiting peer-review, posits that falling space junk could significantly weaken Earth's magnetic field by creating a conductive dust layer in the atmosphere.
The study suggests that this conductive layer could interfere with the magnetosphere, potentially leading to increased solar radiation exposure and atmospheric stripping.
Critics of the study argue that its conclusions are exaggerated and based on oversimplified assumptions, with some experts skeptical of the proposed effects on the magnetic field.
The growing number of satellites, especially from megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink, is highlighted as a major contributor to the predicted increase in conductive dust.
Despite skepticism, the paper has sparked discussion among scientists about the long-term environmental impacts of space debris and the need for further research.