The List Planetary Science

The sad magnetic state of the solar system’s rocky worlds

Aurora

PLANETARY PROTECTION  Earth’s magnetic field deflects charged solar particles toward the planet’s poles, generating auroras. This photo was taken from (and shows parts of) the International Space Station.

Above: NASA; Below, from top: NASA, JHUAPL, Carnegie Inst. for Science; JPL-Caltech/NASA; NASA; JPL-Caltech/NASA

By Thomas Sumner

- More than 2 years ago

A powerful global magnetic field envelops Earth in a cozy blanket of protection against bursts of solar particles (see “The magnetic mystery at the center of the Earth“).