Magnetosphere II: The Solar Wind Strikes Back!

  • Released Friday, March 1, 2002
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A view of a computer-generated model of the Earth's magnetosphere. Semi-transparent surfaces represent particle density (red is high, blue is low), the silvery tube represent magnetic field lines and the yellow ribbons represent the paths of charged solar wind particles. In this particular model, the solar wind has an ambient density of 8.35 particles/cm^3. The isosurfaces are then red (> 17 particles/cm^3), yellow (> 12 particles/cm^3), green (> 8.6 particles/cm^3) and blue (< 1.0 particle/cm^3).

Rotating around a computer model of the Earth's magnetosphere, showing magnetic fields, particle densities, and solar wind flows.

A profile view of the magnetosphere. The Sun would be located to the left. Lines from the Earths magnetic field are stretched out behind the Earth to form the magnetotail.

A profile view of the magnetosphere. The Sun would be located to the left. Lines from the Earths magnetic field are stretched out behind the Earth to form the magnetotail.

A view of the magnetotail, looking sunward.

A view of the magnetotail, looking sunward.

Another view of the magnetotail, looking sunward.

Another view of the magnetotail, looking sunward.

A view of the magnetosphere on the sunward side. The interaction of the solar wind with the field and particles compresses this region to form a shield-like structure.

A view of the magnetosphere on the sunward side. The interaction of the solar wind with the field and particles compresses this region to form a shield-like structure.

A closer view of the Earth inside the magnetosphere. The field lines do not reach the Earth due to the boundary of the computational model.

A closer view of the Earth inside the magnetosphere. The field lines do not reach the Earth due to the boundary of the computational model.

Video slate image reads "Magnetosphere II: The Solar Wind Strikes Back!"

Video slate image reads "Magnetosphere II: The Solar Wind Strikes Back!"

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Scientific Visualization Studio

This page was originally published on Friday, March 1, 2002.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:57 PM EDT.

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Datasets used

  • [3D Unstructured-mesh Magnetosphere Simulation]

    ID: 554
    Type: Model Sensor: 3D Unstructured-mesh Magnetosphere Simulation

    Model generated by Dan Spicer, NASA

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Note: While we identify the data sets used on this page, we do not store any further details, nor the data sets themselves on our site.