Download Magnetosphere

Our planet is a giant magnet
 The core of the Earth is
not a permanent
magnet
 The motion of the
molten iron and nickel
creates electric
currents, which
produce a magnetic
field-similar to an
electromagnet
Aurora Borealis
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news
/norway-aurora-borealis-vin?source=relatedvideo
Low and High levels of auroras
Aurora Borealis
 The Northern Lights are also called the aurora borealis for
Northern Dawn
The Southern Lights are the aurora australis for Southern
Dawn
Solar Winds
 Solar winds stream away
from the sun at speeds of
about 1 million miles per
hour. They reach the earth,
some 40 hours after leaving
the sun
Magnetosphere-earth’s magnetic field
Sun Flares
 Over 98% of the charged
particles from the Sun and
from galactic cosmic rays
that strike Earth's
magnetosphere are
deflected by it
 But astronauts and
satellites in space are
vulnerable
1859- largest auroras (solar storm recorded in
history, induced electricity in the telegraph wires)
 Boston operator (to Portland operator): "Please cut off
your battery [power source] entirely for fifteen minutes."
 Portland operator: "Will do so. It is now disconnected."
Boston: "Mine is disconnected, and we are working with the
auroral current. How do you receive my writing?"
Portland: "Better than with our batteries on. – Current comes
and goes gradually."
Boston: "My current is very strong at times, and we can work
better without the batteries, as the aurora seems to neutralize and
augment our batteries alternately, making current too strong at
times for our relay magnets. Suppose we work without batteries
while we are affected by this trouble."
Portland: "Very well. Shall I go ahead with business?"
Boston: "Yes. Go ahead."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_a
ustralis
 The aurora is the only
visible evidence that the
Sun and the Earth are a
system connected by more
than sunlight.
Van Allen radiation belts discovered in 1958 aka
magnetosphere
 The particles from the
solar wind follow the lines
of magnetic force
generated by the earth's
core and flow through the
magnetosphere a teardropshaped area of highly
charged electrical and
magnetic fields.
Why auroras are different colors
The gases in the Earth’s atmosphere determine the auroral lights’ colors. In
the ionosphere, where the collisions are taking place, incoming solar
particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen gases. Oxygen atoms give off
green and red light. Nitrogen atoms give off red light. Some blue and violet
light is also given off, but it is difficult for our eyes to see it.