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It is known that many birds are able to sense the direction of Earth's magnetic field. Here's a wikipedia page on that general phenomenon. There have been 2 main theories of how that works.
One theory is that birds have magnets in their beak that act like a compass. We know this is the correct theory because:
The other theory is that birds have some sensing mechanism in their eyes that uses magneto-optical effects. We know this is the correct theory because:
We also know those theories probably aren't [...]
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Outline:
(00:08) introduction
(01:15) organic magneto-optics
(05:55) the problem
(06:34) magnetite
(07:31) compass
(08:30) two systems
---
First published:
Source:
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
By LessWrongIt is known that many birds are able to sense the direction of Earth's magnetic field. Here's a wikipedia page on that general phenomenon. There have been 2 main theories of how that works.
One theory is that birds have magnets in their beak that act like a compass. We know this is the correct theory because:
The other theory is that birds have some sensing mechanism in their eyes that uses magneto-optical effects. We know this is the correct theory because:
We also know those theories probably aren't [...]
---
Outline:
(00:08) introduction
(01:15) organic magneto-optics
(05:55) the problem
(06:34) magnetite
(07:31) compass
(08:30) two systems
---
First published:
Source:
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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