Cowling's theorem disproves dynamo theory of earth's magnetic field (Talk.Origins)

Response ArticleThis article (Cowling's theorem disproves dynamo theory of earth's magnetic field (Talk.Origins)) is a response to a rebuttal of a creationist claim published by Talk.Origins Archive under the title Index to Creationist Claims.

Index

Claim CD701.1:

Cowling's theorem proves that the dynamo theory of earth's magnetic field is wrong.

Source: Barnes, Thomas G., 1973. Origin and destiny of Earth's magnetic field, ICR Technical Monograph No. 4.

CreationWiki response:

(Talk.Origins quotes in blue)

1. Cowling's theorem proves that an axially symmetric field cannot be maintained through a self-sustaining dynamo by an axially symmetric current. However, this theorem is limited to special cases. A symmetric field can be generated, for example, by nonuniform convention [Cowling 1981].

Note: Thomas Barnes made the reference in 1973, and the paper referenced to by Talk Origins is dated 1981. This is simply an out of date claim. It is not used by creationists any more. Further more the only place this claim is used is at Talk Origins and anti-creation sites cloned from it.