Can your car get a life of its own due to some unknown natural phenomena? It seems to be the case at the Magnetic Hill located 30 kilometers outside Leh on the way to Alchi and Kargil.
A sign at this spot invites you to stop your car over a white square marked on the road, switch it off and leave it in neutral. Follow the instructions and your car actually starts moving on its own at speeds of 10-20 km per hour. Ok, so this was downhill and it was just following the rules of gravity. Turn your car in the opposite direction and repeat the steps. It will start moving uphill.
Notice the faded square on the road where you are asked to stop your car
I had heard of this phenomena but had to see it to believe it. And it turned out to be exactly as described here. And that too in a heavy car like the Scorpio overloaded with baggage and passengers.
It may not be as notorious as the Bermuda Triangle, but pilots play it safe by not flying any aircraft over Magnetic Hill according to an Army official.
What happens to the law of conservation of energy here? Is this magnetic field a source of energy? Is there a way to tap it? Is there more of it available on the planet?
Till you don’t find the answers, go to Magnetic Hill and give yourself a joyride!!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am taking you on , on this one…next week will be in Alchi shall check out! Our very own Bermuda Box, how can I resist it. By the way will be hosting an environmental documentary film festival “Quotes from the Earth” at the district auditorium on 27, 28th May, near Polo Ground, Leh, all are invited. Please drop by if you are in Leh during those two dates and put in a word about it to your friends in Leh. Cheers!
Hi Pragya, Sure, it will be an interesting experiment as you try to convince yourself there is a catch to it. Tell me if you discover something I don’t know.
Would have loved to attend this festival but will not be there. Likely to be in Ladakh late June onwards though.
hi ajay this is alok from chandigarh want to know more about u and ur journeys.
A gravity hill, also known as a magnetic hill (and sometimes a mystery hill or a gravity road), is a place where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope. Thus, a car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill. There are hundreds of gravity hill locations around the world.
Explanation
The slope of gravity hills is an optical illusion, although tour guides may claim natural or even supernatural forces are at work. The most important factor contributing to the illusion is a completely or mostly obstructed horizon; without a horizon, judging the slope of a surface is difficult as a reliable reference is missing. Objects one would normally assume to be more-or-less perpendicular to the ground (such as trees) may actually be leaning, offsetting the visual reference. The illusion is similar to the well-known Ames room, in which balls can also appear to roll against gravity.
hiii this is nilesh here mailng u te phenomenon
Hi Parmjit… That’s an interesting explanation. Will carry a printout of this the next time I travel there. And put this to test.
Hi Parmjit …I have experienced the drive near this magnetic hill . An experience i would always cherish ,its like magic
why bother so much about physics ? Its a joy ride which will bring smile on ur face whenever u remember it .
I agree Sunita… enjoy the fun and don’t let science spoil it