This picture is from a model of how the earth's magnetic field is generated.
Click on image for full size
Glaztmeir and Roberts of LANL
The Generation of Neptune's Magnetosphere
Magnetospheres are generated with 1.) magnetic materials and 2.) with movement of the magnetic material.
The Earth-like planets generate magnetospheres within the iron cores at their centers. However, Neptune has almost no iron core.
Neptune's magnetic field is created by movement in its icy shell.
You might also be interested in:
Scientists believe there are two essential ingredients for generating a magnetic field. Those two ingredients are magnetic material currents A bar of iron can be made into a magnet by wrapping it with
...more
Motions in the interior of a planet help to move heat from the inside to the outside. The drawing shows a kind of movement that is usual in the atmosphere as well as the inside of a planet. Material moves
...more
Magnetospheres are generated with 1.) magnetic materials and 2.) with movement of the magnetic material. The Earth-like planets generate magnetospheres within the iron cores at their centers. However,
...more
This image shows the new Great Dark Spot of Neptune, which was discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope. The image shown here, shows a large "hole" in the clouds of Neptune in pink, in the northern
...more
The giant planets have definitely changed since their formation. But how much remains to be seen. Most of the original air of the giant planets remains in place. (The earth-like planets lost most of their
...more
This image shows some clouds known as "cirrus" clouds, extending for many kilometers across the face of Neptune. These clouds are very high up, for they can be seen to cast shadows on the lower clouds,
...more
This image of Neptune uses false colors to show where the smog is. The smog of Neptune can be seen in red along the edge of the image. This smog haze is found very high up in the atmosphere, over the clouds
...moreLike Jupiter and all the giant planets, Neptune's appearance shows a striped pattern of clouds. Other cloud shapes seen over time include a small dark spot, the "scooter" and the Great Dark Spot. The Great
...more
