Magnetosphere Collection

Aurora over Antarctica, satellite image
Aurora over Antarctica, ultraviolet satellite image. Australia is at upper left. This is the aurora australis (green ring), the southern lights display

Northern Lights over the Lofoten Islands in Norway
Northern Lights, polar light or Aurora Borealis in the night sky over the Lofoten islands in Northern Norway

Aurora borealis or northern lights display over silhouetted conifer trees. Aurorae are caused by the interaction between energetic charged particles from the Sun

The Aurora Borealis
3740649 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from the HMS Daedalus. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis, 19th century (engraving)
3740648 The Aurora Borealis, 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Berville-sur-Mer. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740659 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Paris. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740657 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Orleans. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740658 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Orleans. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740654 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed during the Franklin's lost expedition. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740656 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Boulogne-sur-Mer. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Aurora Borealis
3740655 The Aurora Borealis; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the Aurora Borealis observed from Dublin. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, curtain form 1839. [1872]. Artist: Rapine
Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, curtain form, 1839 (1872). Observed at Bossekop, Norway, 19 January 1839. Aurorae are caused by the interaction of the particles in the solar wind with the Earths

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights observed from northern Norway, 10 October 1868, (1906). Aurorae are caused by the interaction of the particles in the solar wind with the Earths magnetic field

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) viewed from space. Aurorae are caused by the interaction of the particles in the solar wind with the Earths magnetic field

Aurora Australis, April 1994. The curtain form of the Aurora Australis viewed from the Space Shuttle Endeavour, part of which can be seen in top right foreground

A glimpse of Northern Lights on a winter night in Iceland 7
Reykjavik, Iceland - 11 December 2014; Iceland in midwinter is usually a pretty safe bet for Aurora spotting. But not on our trip - it was cloudy every day

A glimpse of Northern Lights on a winter night in Iceland 5
Reykjavik, Iceland - 11 December 2014; Iceland in midwinter is usually a pretty safe bet for Aurora spotting. But not on our trip - it was cloudy every day

A glimpse of Northern Lights on a winter night in Iceland, with moon 4
Reykjavik, Iceland - 11 December 2014; Iceland in midwinter is usually a pretty safe bet for Aurora spotting. But not on our trip - it was cloudy every day

USA, Alaska, Fairbanks. View of aurora borealis and star trails. Credit as: Cathy & Gordon Illg / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

USA, Alaska, Chena Hot Springs. View of aurora borealis and stars. Credit as: Cathy & Gordon Illg / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

The five THEMIS spacecraft in orbit around the Earth

An artist conception of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar including magnetic field lines

Voyager 2 spacecraft studies the outer limits of the heliosphere
This artists rendering depicts the Voyager 2 spacecraft as it studies the outer limits of the heliosphere, a magnetic bubble around the solar system that is created by the solar wind

NASAs two Voyager spacecraft exploring a turbulent region of space
This artists concept shows NASAs two Voyager spacecraft exploring a turbulent region of space known as the heliosheath, the outer shell of the bubble of charged particles around our sun

Diagram of Energetic Neutral Atoms from a region outside Earths magnetopause
NASAs Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) found that Energetic Neutral Atoms, or ENAs, are coming from a region just outside Earths magnetopause where nearly stationary protons from the solar wind

James Alfred Van Allen (b1914) American physicist. Discoverer of Magnetosphere (Van Allen belts)

Magnetosphere, artwork C017 / 0762
Magnetosphere. Computer artwork showing the shape of the Magnetosphere (blue) of an astronomical object. A magnetosphere is the area of space near an astronomical object in which charged particles

Magnetar star, artwork C016 / 8871
Magnetar star. Computer artwork showing the magnetic field (lines) around a magnetar. Magnetar stars are a type of neutron star with an incredibly strong magnetic field

Magnetar star, artwork C016 / 8872
Magnetar star. Computer artwork showing the magnetic field (lines) around a magnetar. Magnetar stars are a type of neutron star with an incredibly strong magnetic field

Solar flares and Earth, artwork
Solar flares and Earth. Artwork showing a solar flare from the Sun (left) sending a stream of charged particles and radiation towards the Earth (right)

Earths radiation belts, artwork
Earths radiation belts. Artwork of the Earth and its radiation belts protecting it from cosmic radiation and the solar wind. This protection is represented by a shield shape (blue)

Radiation belt storm probes, artwork C014 / 0368
Radiation belt storm probes, artwork. These two satellites will orbit the Earth studying the Van Allen radiation belt, a torus of ionised particles that surrounds the Earth

1950s dip circle. Dip circles are used to measure the angle between the horizon and the Earths magnetic field (the dip angle) at a given point on the Earths surface

Solar flare threatening Earth. Computer artwork of the Earth being threatened by solar flares from the Sun. A solar flare is an explosion in the Suns atmosphere that causes a large increase in levels

Solar eruption. Image 3 of 3. SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) image of the Sun showing a huge coronal mass ejection (CME, lower centre)

Earths magnetosphere. Artwork of the magnetic field around the Earth (pink, blue and red), showing its interaction with particles from the solar wind (yellow)

Earths magnetosphere, artwork
Earths magnetic field. Artwork showing Earths magnetosphere (blue) in the solar wind (not to scale). The field lines originate from the poles

Earths magnetic field protection. Conceptual computer artwork of the Earth being protected by its magnetic field (magnetosphere)

Plasma in Earths magnetic field, UV image
Earths magnetic field. Ultraviolet image of hot plasma (ionised gas, orange) trapped in the Earths magnetic field. The Earth has been superimposed at centre

Interbol satellites, diagram

Solar wind and the Earth, artwork
Solar wind and the Earth. Computer artwork showing how the Earths magnetic field (white) protects it from the Suns solar wind (yellow) by deflecting the charged particles around the planet

Earths magnetic field, artwork
Earths magnetic field, computer artwork. The blue lines represent the magnetic field lines, which extend from the magnetic poles near the North and South poles

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The magnetosphere, a captivating phenomenon that surrounds our planet, never fails to mesmerize us with its ethereal beauty. From the stunning aurora over Antarctica to the satellite image capturing its grandeur, it is a sight that leaves us in awe. One cannot help but be enchanted by the Northern Lights dancing gracefully over the Lofoten Islands in Norway. The vibrant hues of green and purple paint the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle known as the Aurora Borealis. Dating back to 1839, an artwork titled "Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights" by Rapine depicts this natural wonder in all its glory. This curtain-like display has fascinated generations throughout history. Even from space, Earth's magnetosphere reveals itself through vivid displays of light. Astronauts have been fortunate enough to witness firsthand this celestial ballet as they gaze upon the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights from above. Not limited to just one hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere also experiences its own version called Aurora Australis. In April 1994, this radiant display graced our skies with its enchanting presence. Alaska too bears witness to these celestial wonders. In Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs, residents are treated to magnificent views of both aurora borealis and star trails illuminating their surroundings. The magnetosphere serves as a reminder of nature's incredible power and beauty, and is a testament to Earth's magnetic field protecting us from harmful solar radiation while simultaneously offering us glimpses into otherworldly realms through these captivating lights. As we continue exploring and understanding this remarkable phenomenon, let us cherish every moment spent under its spellbinding glow - for within it lies not only scientific marvels but also an undeniable sense of wonder that connects us all across time and space.