Protective Magnetic Environment (IMAGE)
Caption
Earth is surrounded by a protective magnetic environment -- the magnetosphere --shown here in blue, which deflects a supersonic stream of charged particles from the Sun, known as the solar wind. As the particles flow around the Earth's magnetosphere, it forms a highly turbulent boundary layer called the magnetosheath, shown in yellow. Scientists, like those involved with the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, are studying this turbulent region to help us learn more about our dynamic space environment.
Credit
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Usage Restrictions
Must credit NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
License
Licensed content