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The Earth's magnetic field is thought to be produced by electric currents circulating in the molten core. However, the exact mechanism is not yet understood. This magnetic field extends outward from the Earth's core into interplanetary space where it encounters the magnetic field and moving charged plasma of the solar wind.
The solar wind flows around the Earth's magnetic field but distorts the field as it does so. The solar wind compresses the Earth's magnetic field on the dayside and stretches it out into a long anti-sunward tail on the nightside. |
Ho ho foolish explorers - your compasss are useless here!
On the Lighter Side of Magnetic Fields
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