Editing Dynamo theory (section)

=== Observations ===
[[File:Geodynamo After Reversal.gif|thumb|A visual representation of the Glatzmaier model after dipole reversal]]
Many observations can be made from dynamo models. Models can be used to estimate how magnetic fields vary with time and can be compared to observed [[Paleomagnetism|paleomagnetic]] data to find similarities between the model and the Earth. Due to the uncertainty of paleomagnetic observations, however, comparisons may not be entirely valid or useful.<ref name="Kono2002" /> Simplified geodynamo models have shown relationships between the dynamo number (determined by [[Differential rotation|variance in rotational rates]] in the outer core and mirror-asymmetric convection (e.g. when convection favors one direction in the north and the other in the south)) and magnetic pole reversals as well as found similarities between the geodynamo and the Sun's dynamo.<ref name="Kono2002" /> In many models, it appears that magnetic fields have somewhat random magnitudes that follow a normal trend that average to zero.<ref name="Kono2002" /> In addition to these observations, general observations about the mechanisms powering the geodynamo can be made based on how accurately the model reflects actual data collected from Earth.