EARTH’S

MAGNETOSPHER
E
 Earth’s Magnetosphere and its
importance
In this part, we will learn:
- Shape of Earth’s Magnetosphere
- Definition of Earth’s Magnetosphere
- Formation of Earth’s Magnetosphere
- Importance of Earth’s Magnetosphere
Earth’s Magnetic Field
Earth’s Magnetosphere
 BIG CONCEPT
Bring the attention of your audience over
a key concept using icons or illustrations
 The Earth’s magnetosphere is huge and its shape
is like a comet.
 The pattern of the Earth’s magnetic field lines
changes slightly.
 Both of these patterns of Earth’s magnetic field
lines are not fixed.
Pattern of the magnetic field
lines in the magnetosphere
changes a lot based on the
interaction between solar
 Definition of Earth’s Magnetosphere
 The Earth’s magnetosphere is a region
in outer space surrounding the Earth that
is controlled by the Earth’ magnetic
field.
 Earth has the strongest magnetosphere.
 The Earth’s magnetosphere surrounds
the Earth and protects the Earth from the
8
Formation of the Earth’s Magnetosphere

 Magnetosphere is formed by the

interaction between the magnetic field
brought by the solar wind and Earth’s
field lines.
 As the number and energy of particles
brought by the solar wind change, the
shape of the magnetosphere also
Importance of Earth’s Magnetosphere

 It shields the
Earth from
solar wind
and cosmic
radiation from
 As a biological shield
to protect life on
Earth from the
adverse effects of
solar wind.

 Blocks charged
particles e.g.
electrons, protons and
alpha particles.

 Reduce the pressure

exerted by solar wind
Possible effects that will happen if the Earth without
magnetosphere
 All the needles of compasses will not
show to a fixed north-south direction
 The migration of animals cannot occur
 The phenomenon of aurora at the poles
of the Earth cannot be observed and
enjoyed
 Human health is affected
The solar wind compresses its sunward side
to a distance of only 6 to 10 times the radius
of the Earth. A supersonic shock wave is
created sunward of Earth called the Bow
Shock. Most of the solar wind particles are
heated and slowed at the bow shock and
detour around the Earth in the
Magnetosheath.
The solar wind drags out the night-side
magnetosphere to possibly 1000 times
Earth's radius; its exact length is not known.
This extension of the magnetosphere is
known as the Magnetotail. The outer
boundary of Earth's confined geomagnetic
field is called the Magnetopause. The Earth's
magnetosphere is a highly dynamic structure
that responds dramatically to solar
variations. 13
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