Planetary Magnets



This is a drawing of Earth with its magnetic field.
Click on image for full size version (40K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The Earth is a good example of a planetary dipole, where the lines of force point in a direction out of the South (magnetic) Pole and into the North (magnetic) Pole. Planets can also show evidence of quadrupoles (4 poles) and octupoles (8-poles). Jupiter and Saturn are good examples of multi-pole planetary magnetism.

Not every planet has a magnetic field. It takes special conditions to generate a magnetic field within a planet. Other planets known to have a magnetosphere include Mercury, Mars (perhaps), Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Venus is special case of a rocky planet with no magnetic field.


More on Magnetism

Detecting Magnetic Fields with Spacecraft



Planetary Magnets



This is a drawing of Earth with its magnetic field.
Click on image for full size version (40K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The Earth is a good example of a planetary dipole, where the lines of force point in a direction out of the South (magnetic) Pole and into the North (magnetic) Pole. Planets can also show evidence of quadrupoles (4 poles) and octupoles (8-poles).

Not every planet has a magnetic field. It takes special conditions to make a magnetic field within a planet. Other planets known to have a magnetosphere include Mercury, Mars (perhaps), Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Venus is special case of a rocky planet with no magnetic field.

More on Magnetism

How We Detect Magnetic Fields with Spacecraft



Planetary Magnets



This is a drawing of Earth with its magnetic field.
Click on image for full size version (40K GIF)
Image from: NASA
The Earth has a dipole magnetic field. This is when magnetic field lines point in a direction out of the South Pole and into the North Pole. Planets can also have quadrupoles (4 poles) and octupoles (8-poles).

Other have a magnetic field. Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune definintely have a magnetic field.

More on Magnetism

How We Measure Magnetism




Last modified June 3, 2003 by the Windows Team

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