Protective Magnetic Environment (IMAGE) University of Delaware 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 Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.