[Paper Review] Nature of Planetary Matter and Magnetic Field Generation in the Solar System

J. Marvin Herndon|ArXiv.org|Mar 26, 2009

Astro and Planetary Science34 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that planetary magnetic fields in the Solar System are generated by natural planetocentric nuclear fission reactors within planetary interiors, analogous to Earth's geomagnetic field. It argues that the presence of uranium-rich matter and conditions conducive to self-sustaining fission reactions explains the origin of planetary magnetic fields across the Solar System.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the nature of the matter comprising the Solar System is crucial for understanding the mechanism that generates the Earth's geomagnetic field and the magnetic fields of other planets and satellites. The commonality in the Solar System of matter like that of the inside of the Earth, together with common nuclear reactor operating conditions,forms the basis for generalizing the author's concept of nuclear geomagnetic field generation to planetary magnetic field generation by natural planetocentric nuclear fission reactors.

Motivation & Objective

• To explain the origin of planetary magnetic fields in the Solar System through a unified mechanism based on planetary interior composition.
• To address the lack of a comprehensive explanation for the generation of magnetic fields in planets and satellites beyond Earth.
• To establish a link between the internal composition of planets—particularly uranium-rich matter—and the operation of natural nuclear fission reactors.
• To generalize the author's nuclear geomagnetic field theory to other planetary bodies using shared physical conditions and matter types.
• To provide a theoretical framework for planetary magnetic field generation based on fission reactor dynamics in planetary cores.

Proposed method

• Analyzes the composition of planetary matter in the Solar System, emphasizing the presence of uranium and other fissile materials.
• Applies principles of nuclear fission reactor physics to planetary interiors, modeling conditions for self-sustaining chain reactions.
• Compares the internal structure and material composition of Earth with other planets and satellites to identify commonalities in fission-reactor potential.
• Uses thermodynamic and neutron transport models to assess the feasibility of natural fission reactors in planetary cores.
• Extends the author's earlier nuclear geomagnetic field model to include all planetary bodies with measurable magnetic fields.
• Relies on observational data of planetary magnetic fields and internal compositions to validate the proposed mechanism.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What is the role of uranium-rich matter in the generation of planetary magnetic fields?
• RQ2 Can natural nuclear fission reactors operate under the physical conditions found in planetary interiors?
• RQ3 How do the internal compositions of planets and satellites support the existence of self-sustaining fission reactions?
• RQ4 To what extent is the Earth's geomagnetic field generation mechanism applicable to other planetary bodies?
• RQ5 What physical conditions in planetary cores enable the operation of planetocentric fission reactors?

Key findings

• The presence of uranium-rich matter in planetary interiors provides the necessary fuel for natural nuclear fission reactors.
• Planetary conditions, including pressure, temperature, and neutron moderation, are conducive to sustaining fission chain reactions.
• The model explains the existence of magnetic fields on planets and satellites such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Ganymede through internal fission reactors.
• The mechanism unifies the origin of planetary magnetic fields across the Solar System under a single physical principle.
• The model is consistent with observed magnetic field strengths and spatial distributions in planetary bodies.
• The theory provides a physical basis for the long-term stability of planetary magnetic fields, linked to sustained fission processes.