Earth
ID: 3822
This stereoscopic visualization shows a simple model of the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetic field partially shields the Earth from harmful charged particles emanating from the sun. The field is stretched back away from Sun by solar particle and radiation pressures.
The geomagnetic field is generated (and regenerated) as the conducting fluid of the Earth's mantle and core, driven by convection of heat from deeper in the interior, induces an electromotive force (EMF) with the existing magnetic field. This process is very similar to the way an electric generator generates a voltage. That voltage then drives an induced current in the conducting fluid, which also produces a magnetic field. This feedback mechanism helps maintain the field, continuously converting the thermal energy in the Earth into magnetic field energy.
The magnetic field line data used in this visualization is from a simplified static model. More complex models deform the magnetic field over time as the Earth rotates and experiences solar pressures. Many of the field lines (particulary near the back, away from the Sun) should eventually connect (north and south poles), but the 3d model used in this visualization does not extend far enough to see this.
The day/night terminator is aligned with the Sun and is therefore aligned with the magnetic field too.
Stereoscopic Magnetic Field Lines
The geomagnetic field is generated (and regenerated) as the conducting fluid of the Earth's mantle and core, driven by convection of heat from deeper in the interior, induces an electromotive force (EMF) with the existing magnetic field. This process is very similar to the way an electric generator generates a voltage. That voltage then drives an induced current in the conducting fluid, which also produces a magnetic field. This feedback mechanism helps maintain the field, continuously converting the thermal energy in the Earth into magnetic field energy.
The magnetic field line data used in this visualization is from a simplified static model. More complex models deform the magnetic field over time as the Earth rotates and experiences solar pressures. Many of the field lines (particulary near the back, away from the Sun) should eventually connect (north and south poles), but the 3d model used in this visualization does not extend far enough to see this.
The day/night terminator is aligned with the Sun and is therefore aligned with the magnetic field too.
This visualization is based on a previous monoscopic visualizaton that included magnetic field line data.
Used Elsewhere In
Related
Visualization Credits
Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC): Lead Animator
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Animator
Victoria Weeks (HTSI): Video Editor
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Producer
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Animator
Victoria Weeks (HTSI): Video Editor
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Producer
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3822
Data Used:
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.
Keywords:
DLESE >> Geology
DLESE >> Geophysics
SVS >> Magnetic Fields
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Solid Earth >> Geomagnetism >> Magnetic Field
SVS >> Stereo Display
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3822
Data Used:
Luhmann-Friesen Magnetosphere Model (1979)/Magnetic Field Lines (Luhmann-Friesen)
Model
Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 84, Aug. 1, 1979, p. 4405-4408
GEOS-5 Atmospheric Model on the Cubed-Sphere also referred to as: GEOS-5 Cubed-Sphere
Model - NASA GMAO
The model is the GEOS-5 atmospheric model on the cubed-sphere, run at 14-km global resolution for 30-days. GEOS-5 is described here http://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/systems/geos5/ and the cubed-sphere work is described here http://sivo.gsfc.nasa.gov/cubedsphere_overview.html.
Hipparcos/Telescope/Tycho 2 Catalogue also referred to as: Tycho Catalogue
DatabaseKeywords:
DLESE >> Geology
DLESE >> Geophysics
SVS >> Magnetic Fields
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Solid Earth >> Geomagnetism >> Magnetic Field
SVS >> Stereo Display
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0
