Earth's Magnetic Field

Even though the sun is 93 million miles away from the Earth, solar winds take only a few days to reach our planet. The potentially harmful effects of solar winds are mitigated by a magnetic field surrounding Earth. This natural shield takes the brunt of the energy from the solar winds, which are diverted around the Earth. However, the strength of these winds is enough to distort the magnetic field, which takes a shape similar to a windsock blowing in gusty air.

The Earth's magnetic field originates from its core. Scientists believe that billions of years ago, the Earth was formed from dust and gases that congealed into a spinning sphere of molten rock and metal. The planet got bigger as it was bombarded with meteorites, comets and other cosmic debris. Over time, heavy molten metals such as iron and nickel were pulled to the center of the Earth. The magnetic qualities of these elements combined with the Earth's liquid core, a good electrical conductor, and in concert with the rotation of the Earth, produced the magnetic field.