Mining Earth's Magnetic Fields with Satellites - Chris O'Connor

[oconn1]

Hi, I would like to know if that there is any known ray or system that could be sent from a satellite down to Earth to read the Earth's magnetic fields to see high concentrations of precious metals in the ground?

In other words I would like to discuss the possibilities of sending a satellite into Orbit to detect high concentrations of precious metals for mining purposes.

Please reply promptly.

thanks,

Chris O'Connor

 

[russ_watters]

Yes! It is called a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD).

Other uses
For geomagnetic survey work the detector can be mounted on a long probe in front of the aircraft or be a towed device. A chart is produced that geologists can study to determine the location and extent of mineral deposits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_anomaly_detector

Welcome to PF!

 

[mgb_phys]

You probably wouldn't do it from a satelite though.
The field from a magnet falls off quite quickly with distance and there are lots of other electromagnetic fields in space that would swamp the system.
Gravity detection is also used but again from closer to the ground.

The main satelite resource use is looking at patterns of vegetation to spot surface chemicla traces which might indicate underground deposits.

 

[AppleBite]

you're absolutely right mgb_phys.

also just read about meon's the last months scientific american (the special edition with food and stuff) and it discussed how meons (look it up in astronomy) can be used to find nuclear material, but also heavy metals. thing is that they're going to use it in Japan to detect seismic shifts in the ground, through lava flows and shift in mineral concentrations in the ground. and although no detectors are available to do this in large scale from a satellite, the technology is under development.