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.kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image11411_0e65db-42 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image11411_0e65db-42 figure{max-width:350px;}.kb-image11411_0e65db-42 .image-is-svg, .kb-image11411_0e65db-42 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image11411_0e65db-42 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}.kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:425px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec figure{max-width:425px;}.kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec .image-is-svg, .kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}.kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:400px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 figure{max-width:400px;}.kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 .image-is-svg, .kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}</style> <style id='kadence_blocks_pro_css-inline-css'>.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kadence-post-image{padding-top:0px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:0px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-feat-image-align-left{grid-template-columns:40% auto;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-post-grid-wrap{gap:10px 30px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 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kt-clear"> <div id="primary" class="content-area"> <div class="content-container site-container"> <main id="main" class="site-main" role="main"> <div class="content-wrap"> <article id="post-11411" class="entry content-bg single-entry post-11411 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-magnetosphere tag-feature tag-guide mv-content-wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header post-title title-align-center title-tablet-align-center title-mobile-align-inherit"> <div class="kadence-breadcrumbs yoast-bc-wrap"><span><span><a href="https://earthhow.com/">Home</a></span> » <span><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/atmosphere/">Atmosphere</a></span> » <span><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/atmosphere/magnetosphere/">Magnetosphere</a></span> » <span class="breadcrumb_last" aria-current="page">A Guide to the Magnetosphere</span></span></div><h1 class="entry-title">A Guide to the Magnetosphere</h1><div class="entry-meta entry-meta-divider-customicon"> <div class="meta-comments"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-comments-alt-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28"><title>Comments</title><path d="M10 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM16 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM22 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM14 6c-6.5 0-12 3.656-12 8 0 2.328 1.563 4.547 4.266 6.078l1.359 0.781-0.422 1.5c-0.297 1.109-0.688 1.969-1.094 2.688 1.578-0.656 3.016-1.547 4.297-2.672l0.672-0.594 0.891 0.094c0.672 0.078 1.359 0.125 2.031 0.125 6.5 0 12-3.656 12-8s-5.5-8-12-8zM28 14c0 5.531-6.266 10-14 10-0.766 0-1.531-0.047-2.266-0.125-2.047 1.813-4.484 3.094-7.187 3.781-0.562 0.156-1.172 0.266-1.781 0.344h-0.078c-0.313 0-0.594-0.25-0.672-0.594v-0.016c-0.078-0.391 0.187-0.625 0.422-0.906 0.984-1.109 2.109-2.047 2.844-4.656-3.219-1.828-5.281-4.656-5.281-7.828 0-5.516 6.266-10 14-10v0c7.734 0 14 4.484 14 10z"></path> </svg></span><a class="meta-comments-link anchor-scroll" href="#comments">1 Comment</a></div></div></header> <div class="entry-content single-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="678" height="378" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Feature-1-678x378.jpg" alt="Magnetosphere" class="wp-image-11578"/></figure> <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Guide to the Magnetosphere</h3> <p>Earth’s magnetic field gives us a layer out in space called the magnetosphere. Here are some key points of the magnetosphere:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The main role of the magnetosphere is that it <strong>deflects the most harmful solar rays</strong> shielding us from the sun.</li> <li>Without the magnetosphere, it would strip away Earth from its protective layers like the <a href="https://earthhow.com/ozone-layer/">ozone layer</a>.</li> <li>The magnetosphere impacts compass orientation, <a href="https://earthhow.com/aurora-borealis-northern-lights/">aurora borealis</a>, and space weather.</li> <li>Earth’s magnetic field can disrupt GPS, communication networks, and electrical power grids.</li> <li>Earth isn’t the only celestial body that has a magnetosphere. Stars, moons, and planets have them too.</li> </ul> <p>Let’s explore the magnetosphere in more detail.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter 1. What is the magnetosphere?</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">The anatomy of the magnetosphere</h4> <p>We divide the magnetosphere into separate parts. Here are some definitions of the structure of the magnetosphere:</p> <div class="wp-block-kadence-image kb-image11411_0e65db-42 is-style-default"><figure class="alignright"><img decoding="async" width="495" height="530" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Parts.png" alt="Magnetosphere Parts" class="kb-img wp-image-11535" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Parts.png 495w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Parts-280x300.png 280w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Parts-397x425.png 397w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px"/></figure></div><p><strong>1. BOW SHOCK</strong> is the outermost layer of the magnetosphere.<br><strong>2. MAGNETOSHEATH</strong> is the area between the magnetopause and bow shock.<br><strong>3. MAGNETOPAUSE</strong> is where Earth’s magnetic field is in balance with incoming solar winds.<br><strong>4. MAGNETOSPHERE</strong> extends as far 1000 Earths at the magnetotail side.<br><strong>5. NORTHERN TAIL LOBE</strong> is at the magnetotail side where magnetic field lines point toward Earth.<br><strong>6. SOUTHERN TAIL LOBE</strong> is at the magnetotail side where magnetic field lines point away from Earth.<br><strong>7. PLASMASPHERE </strong> is the inner section of the magnetosphere that consists of low-energy electrically charged gas (plasma).<br><strong>8. POLAR CUSPS</strong> funnel solar winds downwards like two holes in the magnetosphere at the poles.</p> <p><strong>MAGNETOTAIL</strong> is the night-side part of the magnetic field that isn’t compressed by solar winds.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">The magnetosphere’s double bubble</h4> <p>What does the magnetosphere look like? A lot of people picture the magnetosphere as a bubble around Earth. But it’s more like two uneven bubbles split at the poles. Solar winds compress the magnetosphere on the daytime side.</p> <p>But in the night-side direction, it’s shaped like a teardrop outwards much further. <a href="https://earthhow.com/south-pole/">Earth’s poles</a> are like a funnel where magnetic field lines touch down to Earth.</p> <p>This funnel allows high-energy particles from the sun to race towards Earth’s ionosphere. As a result, we can see spectacular displays of light known as the aurora borealis.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Field lines beyond the moon</h4> <div class="wp-block-kadence-image kb-image11411_b1d22c-ec is-style-default"><figure class="alignright size-medium_large"><img decoding="async" width="425" height="268" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-425x268.jpg" alt="Magnetosphere Cusp" class="kb-img wp-image-11660" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-425x268.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-300x189.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-675x425.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-550x346.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp-850x535.jpg 850w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Cusp.jpg 1051w" sizes="(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></figure></div><p>How far does the magnetosphere stretch? The magnetosphere has two sides. It has a sun-facing side and a night side (magnetotail).</p> <p>On the sun-facing side, the magnetosphere fluctuates at 65,000 km or 6-10 times the radius of Earth. But on the night side, the magnetosphere stretches 6,300,000 km or 60 times the radius of Earth.</p> <p>The magnetosphere also belongs to <a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere-layers-troposphere-stratosphere-mesosphere-thermosphere/">Earth’s atmosphere</a>. If you look at the layers of Earth’s atmosphere, there is a significant overlap between the ionosphere and magnetosphere. In fact, the ionosphere is just the inner bound of the magnetosphere.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter 2. What does the magnetosphere do?</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Habitability</h4> <p>The magnetosphere allows life to exist on Earth’s surface. Without it, Earth would be exposed to cosmic and <a href="https://earthhow.com/solar-radiation-electromagnetic/">solar radiation from the sun</a>. Magnetic fields bend particles. If you have dangerous high-speed particles from space, the magnetosphere deflects them like a shield from cosmic radiation.</p> <p>This is why we still have an atmosphere surrounded by an <a href="https://earthhow.com/ozone-layer/">ozone layer</a>. This is key for habitable life. Like a bubble that surrounds Earth, the magnetosphere protects us from the fury of the sun.</p> <p>Without the magnetosphere, the solar bombardment can strip Earth away from its protective layers – the ozone layer that shields it from UV rays. From space, the magnetosphere resonates field lines from the magnetic north and south poles.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Aurora Borealis</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Solar-Storm-Aurora-Borealis-1-290x300.png" alt="Solar Storm Aurora Borealis" class="wp-image-2355" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Solar-Storm-Aurora-Borealis-1-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Solar-Storm-Aurora-Borealis-1.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>The <a href="https://earthhow.com/aurora-borealis-northern-lights/">aurora borealis (northern lights)</a> is a light spectacle caused by trapped plasma in the ionosphere. During magnetic storms, the aurora flashes shades of pink, violet, green, and blue.</p> <p>Each color shimmers based on the <a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-atmosphere-composition/">amount of oxygen and nitrogen</a> in the atmosphere. In the sky, they look like curtains, depending on where electrons are located in the magnetosphere.</p> <p>The aurora borealis dances in vibrant colors across the northern skies. Not only is it a scientific marvel, but it has historical significance in mythology for various cultures around the world.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Compasses point to the magnetic north</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="277" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Compass-277x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-11555" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Compass-277x300.png 277w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Compass-392x425.png 392w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Compass-508x550.png 508w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Compass.png 591w" sizes="(max-width: 277px) 100vw, 277px"/></figure></div><p>The Earth is one big magnet. When you pull out your compass, the needle responds to <a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-magnetic-field/">Earth’s magnetism</a>. It does this by aligning itself towards field lines in the magnetosphere.</p> <p>As you’ve already learned, these field lines are at the cusp where they converge at the poles. This is why compasses always point to the magnetic north.</p> <p>Right now, the magnetic north is somewhere in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. But over time, the magnetic north hasn’t consistently pointed in the same direction. In fact, it can wander over 10 kilometers per year.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Bird migration</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Magnetic-Field-290x300.png" alt="Magnetic Field" class="wp-image-1533" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Magnetic-Field-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Magnetic-Field.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>Birds use magnetic field lines to help orient themselves. The term is described as “magnetoreception” which gives the ability to perceive direction like a compass. </p> <p>Scientists believe it’s from a special protein in the eyes of birds that enables the ability. It turns out that it’s not only birds that have this sixth sense. But wolves, bees, and worms also can navigate using Earth’s magnetic field.</p> <p>This fascinating ability to sense Earth’s magnetic field is known as magnetoreception and continues to intrigue researchers.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Pole reversals</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Magnetic-North-290x300.png" alt="Magnetic North" class="wp-image-1676" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Magnetic-North-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Magnetic-North.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>In Earth’s history, compasses didn’t always point to the north. They’ve changed from north to south. This means that Earth’s magnetic field has reversed with time.</p> <p>On average, Earth’s magnetic north flips polarity <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012-poleReversal.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">every 250,000 years</a>. But they don’t reverse at regular intervals. Instead, it’s very unpredictable.</p> <p>Over the past 3 million years, the magnetic pole has reversed polarity 12 times. By looking at iron-rich rocks, we can see the <a href="https://earthhow.com/geomagnetic-reversal/">history of pole reversals</a>.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6. Space weather</h4> <p>The sun constantly releases plasma as solar winds. But it sometimes gives off a massive burst. We call it a coronal mass ejection. These solar flares hit the magnetosphere first and trigger an aurora borealis.</p> <p>If they are powerful enough, they can even disturb satellites in space and electrical power grids. These disturbances are rare. But the magnetosphere is key to understanding space weather. If you understand space weather, then you can understand how it impacts us.</p> <div class="wp-block-image size-full_size wp-image-11548 is-style-default"> <figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="850" height="478" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-850x478.jpg" alt="Space Weather Science" class="wp-image-11548" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-850x478.jpg 850w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-300x169.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-675x380.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-425x239.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science-550x309.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Space-Weather-Science.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-system/-/60913-the-science-of-space-weather" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Science of Space Weather (Credit: ESA)</a></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter 3. Why does the Earth have a magnetosphere?</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Inside Earth</h4> <p>Earth’s magnetic field is created by electric currents flowing in the core. If you look deep <a href="https://earthhow.com/inside-earth-crust-core-mantle/">inside Earth</a>, it’s not entirely solid. The core is almost all iron and nickel. But the outside core is actually liquid. We know this from using <a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-tomography/">seismic tomography</a>.</p> <p>Because the Earth is spinning, its liquid iron is also spinning. It’s the fluid motion of liquid that makes it electrically conductive. Because the solid inner core heats the outer liquid layer, it produces convection currents. This creates the geodynamo that generates Earth’s magnetic field.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Geodynamo</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Outer-Core-Liquid-290x300.png" alt="Outer Core Liquid" class="wp-image-11563" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Outer-Core-Liquid-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Outer-Core-Liquid.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>The geodynamo is the process by which any celestial body can generate a magnetic field. But it’s not only Earth that produces a geodynamo. For example, stars, planets, and moons can all have magnetic fields. Every geodynamo involves a rotating fluid.</p> <p>It’s because the inner core rotates faster than the mantle, and the material is slightly electrically charged. It’s this active churning that enables the process of convection.</p> <p>Not only do these <a href="https://earthhow.com/mantle-convection-plate-tectonics/">convection currents</a> affect heat flow within the planet, but the magnetic field it produces plays an important role in giving life on planet Earth. It gives us a layer out in space called the magnetosphere.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter 4. What is magnetic reconnection</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Incoming solar wind</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="294" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sun-Transparent-300x294.png" alt="Sun" class="wp-image-11570" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sun-Transparent-300x294.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sun-Transparent-425x417.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sun-Transparent-550x539.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sun-Transparent.png 612w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></figure></div><p>Coronal mass ejections (CME) from the sun release vast amounts of plasma into the solar system. Because the sun is so large, this plasma or charged particles occupy a large portion of our solar system. In fact, plasma makes up about 99.9% of the universe.</p> <p>When plasma enters the magnetosphere in normal conditions, Earth’s magnetic field lines are relatively unaffected. This creates a rift where energy can enter our safe haven. These rifts open and close daily or even hourly.</p> <p>Most are small and short-lived. Others are vast and sustained. Overall, the magnetosphere constantly reconfigures itself based on the amount of incoming solar wind.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Magnetic reconnection</h4> <p>But sometimes, the plasma released from the sun can break apart Earth’s magnetic field. This forces Earth’s magnetic field to realign into a different pattern called <a href="https://earthhow.com/magnetic-reconnection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">magnetic reconnection</a>.</p> <p>When rifts open, Earth absorbs incoming energy from solar winds. It explosively releases that energy with geomagnetic storms.</p> <p>Magnetic reconnection can blast a tremendous amount of kinetic energy impacting space weather and communication systems on Earth.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission</h4> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="205" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-300x205.png" alt="magnetospheric multiscale mission" class="wp-image-11573" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-300x205.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-675x462.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-425x291.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-550x376.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite-850x582.png 850w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/magnetospheric-satellite.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></figure></div><p><a href="https://mms.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission</a> hopes to find out the physics of magnetic reconnection. Orbiting in the magnetosphere, MMS tries to capture magnetic reconnection live as it happens.</p> <p>Instead of looking from the outside, MMS will measure magnetic reconnection from a 4 satellite tetrahedral formation as it occurs. Specifically, each satellite will measure the magnetic field and movement of particles during magnetic reconnection.</p> <p>The intention is to better understand what triggers particle acceleration and predict space weather patterns from magnetic reconnection.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter 5. A look at the solar system</h3> <p>Earth isn’t the only celestial body that has a magnetosphere. Stars, moons, and planets have them too. Let’s explore the various magnetospheres in <a href="https://earthhow.com/solar-system-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our solar system</a>.</p> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="850" height="562" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-850x562.jpg" alt="Magnetosphere Solar System" class="wp-image-11565" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-850x562.jpg 850w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-300x198.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-675x446.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-425x281.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System-550x364.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetosphere-Solar-System.jpg 1006w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px"/></figure></div></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mercury</h4> <p>Mercury has a magnetosphere. But it is about 1/100 as powerful as Earth. <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-mercury-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Mercury</a> has a very large iron core. Because it’s partly liquid, the fluid spins creating a weak magnetic field. But Mercury doesn’t spin fast. This is why Mercury has such a weak magnetosphere.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Venus</h4> <p>If you look at the properties of <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-venus-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Venus</a>, they are very similar in terms of size, shape, and density to Earth. Venus and Earth are so similar that Venus is nicknamed Earth’s twin.</p> <p>But one key difference is that Venus doesn’t have a magnetosphere. It’s because Venus spins so slowly that it doesn’t have enough fluid motion to create a magnetosphere on its own. And because its magnetosphere was too weak, this is why its atmosphere lost a lot of its water.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Our Moon</h4> <p>You will see two answers to whether or not <a href="https://earthhow.com/moon-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our moon</a> has a magnetic field. The first is that the moon lost its magnetosphere 3.5 billion years ago. The second answer is that our moon still has a localized mini-magnetosphere.</p> <p>Scientists know this is true because they measure how much solar wind it deflects. Because it’s so small, this opens the question of whether or not other celestial bodies may have a localized magnetosphere that we don’t know yet.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mars</h4> <p>Despite our interest in life on other planets, Mars doesn’t have a magnetosphere to protect itself from solar radiation. Possibly it’s because Mars’ core solidified and prevented an inner dynamo.</p> <p>It’s believed <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-mars-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Mars</a> lost its magnetosphere 4.2 billion years ago. Then, the solar wind stripped away most of Mars’ atmosphere, it lost a lot of its water and became the barren planet we see today.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jupiter</h4> <p>Jupiter has the strongest magnetosphere in our solar system. It’s possibly larger than the sun’s magnetosphere extending to Saturn. Despite <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-jupiter-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Jupiter</a> being mostly gas, its magnetosphere is likely generated from its quick rotation.</p> <p>One full rotation is 9 hours long on Jupiter. If you look inside Jupiter, it has metallic hydrogen that acts like a liquid. This fluid motion is what generates a magnetic field on Jupiter. Then, every moon Jupiter has is protected from Jupiter’s strong magnetic field.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jupiter’s moon Ganymede</h4> <p>Jupiter’s moon Ganymede hosts its own magnetic field. It’s not as large as other magnetospheres. But it’s a magnetosphere within Jupiter’s magnetosphere.</p> <p>It could be because of its salty oceans under the surface that generates the magnetic field. It’s likely not an iron core because Ganymede doesn’t spin very quickly.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Saturn</h4> <p>Saturn has a magnetosphere and generates it in a similar way to Jupiter. Liquid metallic hydrogen inside <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-saturn-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Saturn</a> has a fluid motion. Rotation is about 10 hours on Saturn so this spin creates a magnetosphere surrounding it.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Saturn’s moon Titan</h4> <p>Titan is another place of interest for scientists because it has a thick atmosphere. It doesn’t generate its own magnetosphere. But it is believed that it is protected by Saturn. This is why Titan can still sustain a thick atmosphere with vital protection from solar winds.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Uranus</h4> <p>Uranus has a magnetic field. But it’s not generated by liquid metallic hydrogen like Jupiter and Saturn. Instead, it may be generated from convection currents within a salty ocean underneath. <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-uranus-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Uranus</a> is a frozen, gaseous planet with a molten core.</p> <p>Its orbit is unusual. It rotates on its side facing the sun. So, its magnetic poles are not close to its geographic poles. They jump from place to place. It can even have 4 poles at times. Despite having a slower rotation, it’s enough to generate a magnetic field.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Neptune</h4> <p>Neptune is similar to Uranus. Its axis is off the rotation plane and has an unpredictable magnetic field. Similar to Uranus, it doesn’t generate a magnetic from deep within its core.</p> <p>Instead, it’s about one-third down where salty ices of methane, ammonia, and water spin. These motions of fluids are what produce convection currents and a magnetosphere for <a href="https://earthhow.com/planet-neptune-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet Neptune.</a></p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Guide to the Magnetosphere</h2> <div class="wp-block-kadence-image kb-image11411_da1bf4-c0 is-style-default"><figure class="alignright size-medium_large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1-425x319.jpg" alt="Magnetic Reconnection" class="kb-img wp-image-11568" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1-425x319.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1-675x507.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1-550x413.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Magnetic-Reconnection-1.jpg 678w" sizes="(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></figure></div><p>There are many different layers to our planet and one of these layers is the Earth’s magnetosphere. The <strong>Earth’s magnetosphere</strong> is a spherical electromagnetic sheath that surrounds the Earth and travels through space, protecting us from solar wind and cosmic radiation.</p> <p>The magnetosphere is an invisible and delicate layer of energetic particles that surrounds the Earth in a bubble-shaped field.</p> <p>Solar storms can affect the magnetosphere. It causes strong electromagnetic forces in the atmosphere (one of <a href="https://earthhow.com/types-of-forces/">10 types of forces</a>). These storms may lead to disruptions in communications and electrical grids and even contribute to changes in our climate.</p></div></div><div class="newsletter1"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">Subscribe to our newsletter:</span> <div class="tnp tnp-subscription-minimal"><form action="https://earthhow.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=tnp&na=s" method="post" style="text-align: center"><input type="hidden" name="nr" value="minimal"> <input type="hidden" name="nlang" value=""> <input class="tnp-email" type="email" required name="ne" value="" placeholder="Email"><input class="tnp-submit" type="submit" value="Subscribe" style=""> </form></div></div><div class="kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id18087_9ac6f0-08 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout"><div class="kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top"> <div class="wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 kvs-sm-false kb-section-dir-horizontal"><div 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class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere-layers-troposphere-stratosphere-mesosphere-thermosphere/" aria-label="Read More What Are the 4 Layers of the Atmosphere? 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[Infographic]</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article> <div id="comments" class="comments-area"> <h2 class="comments-title">One Comment</h2> <ol class="comment-list"> <li id="comment-20117" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-20117" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <b class="fn">Mbochu, James</b> <span class="says">says:</span></div><div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://earthhow.com/magnetosphere/#comment-20117"><time datetime="2023-02-18T21:45:23-06:00">February 18, 2023 at 9:45 pm</time></a></div></footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>Informative articles!</p></div></article> </li> </ol> <div id="respond" 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