Sun's Magnetic Field
Credit: SOHO/ESA/NASA · Download full size image
The Sun’s magnetic field and releases of plasma directly affect Earth and the rest of the solar system. Solar wind shapes the Earth’s magnetosphere and magnetic storms are illustrated here as approaching Earth. These storms, which occur frequently, can disrupt communications and navigational equipment, damage satellites, and even cause blackouts. The white lines represent the solar wind; the purple line is the bow shock line; and the blue lines surrounding the Earth represent its protective magnetosphere. The magnetic cloud of plasma can extend to 30 million miles wide by the time it reaches earth. Posted on: 31 Mar, 2003
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Chandra X-ray Observatory
- Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory
- ROSAT X-ray Observatory
- SOHO Solar Observatory
- WMAP
- 2MASS Sky Survey
- ASTER Earth Imaging Instrument
- MISR Earth Imaging Instrument
- NRAO Gallery
- NAOJ Subaru Telescope
- Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)
- European Southern Observatory (ESO)
- Wide-Field Imager (WFI)
- SOFI Infrared Multi-mode Instrument
- Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT)
- New Technology Telescope (NTT)
- Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX)
- SOHO Daily Images - 1996
- Spitzer Space Telescope (SIRTF)
- Infrared Legacy Gallery
Latest Thoughts
Movie Animation: How Do They Do That?
Tiny Pill is Big Weapon Against Obesity
Vitamins Don't Seem To Prevent Cancer
Shopping for Health at the Grocery Store
Protecting Skin at the Beach
Rare, Identical Triplets Born Without Fertility Treatment
RSS Feeds