Tuesday, August 28, 2007

SSS-Cool Time: Solar Wind and the Magnetosphere


The charged particles of the solar wind first interact with the earth's magnetic field as they approach the earth. The magnetosphere is a magnetic field surrounding the earth generated by dynamo-like motions within our planet. Aurora borealis (northern lights) and aurora australis (southern lights) are caused by the interaction of the solar wind and the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere.

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