New Study Proves the Magnetosphere Protects Earth

This animation shows how a particular stream of the solar wind sweeps through space, interacting with both Earth and Mars. Credits: ESA

A chance alignment of planets during a passing gust of the solar wind has allowed scientists to compare the protective effects of Earth’s magnetic field with that of Mars’ naked atmosphere. The result is clear: Earth’s magnetic field is vital for keeping our atmosphere in place. This means that the magnetic field plays an essential role in maintaining Earth’s habitability for life as we know it.


They found that while the pressure of the solar wind increased at each planet by similar amounts, the increase in the rate of loss of Martian oxygen was ten times that of Earth’s increase.

Such a difference would have a dramatic impact over billions of years, leading to large losses of the Martian atmosphere, perhaps explaining or at least contributing to its current tenuous state.


This artist’s impression shows how the solar wind shapes the magnetospheres of Venus (top), Earth (middle) and Mars (bottom). Credits: ESA








“For the next few months there is a good alignment between the Sun, Earth, Venus and Mars, and observations made by many spacecraft, including Mars Express, Venus Express and NASA’s STEREO solar observatory, will be analyzed together,” says Olivier Witasse, ESA Mars Express Project Scientist.



“The European family of solar system missions, with their unique observational capabilities, will play a vital role in studying this behavior during the approaching maximum in solar activity,” says Matt Taylor, ESA Cluster Project Scientist.