Earth's magnetic field. Artwork showing Earth's magnetosphere (orange) in the solar wind from the Sun (not to scale). The field lines originate from t

---

Earth's magnetic field. Artwork showing Earth's magnetosphere (orange) in the solar wind from the Sun (not to scale). The field lines originate from the poles, and form a shield that protects the Earth from the radiation of the solar wind (orange arrows). The solar wind is made up of energetic charged particles. Earth's magnetic field channels these towards the poles, where they collide with the atmosphere and produce aurorae. The pressure of the solar wind causes Earth's magnetic field to be flattened on the sunward side and form a tail millions of kilometres long pointing away from the Sun. The field is generated by currents of molten iron in the Earth's core.

---

Size: 4134px × 2807px
Photo credit: © MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: active, activity, art, artwork, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, diagram, earth, field, geological, geology, illustration, line, lines, magnetic, magnetism, magnetosphere, pole, poles, protection, protective, science, sciences, solar, space, sun, weather, wind, world