File:Magnetosphere.jpg

Summary

The Main Field creates a cavity in interplanetary space called the magnetosphere, where the Earth's magnetic field dominates in the magnetic field of the solar wind. The magnetosphere is shaped somewhat like a comet in response to the dynamic pressure of the solar wind. It is compressed on the side toward the sun to about 10 Earth radii and is extended tail-like on the side away from the sun to more than 100 Earth radii. The magnetosphere deflects the flow of most solar wind particles around the Earth, while the geomagnetic field lines guide charged particle motion within the magnetosphere.

Copyright status

This image is public domain because it was first published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Source

http://stargazers.gsfc.nasa.gov/students/adventures_in_geospace_sp.htm