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A Look at Jupiter's Magnetosphere



This is a drawing of the magnetosphere of Jupiter.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)

Jupiter's magnetosphere is very special. It is the biggest thing in the entire solar system. Not only is it big enough to hold all of Jupiter's moons, but the sun itself could fit inside. It goes all the way to Saturn. If it could be seen at night, it would be as big in the sky as the full moon.

The unusual way that Jupiter's magnetic field is made affects the shape of different parts of Jupiter's magnetosphere.

Jupiter has a donut-shaped cloud which goes around inside the magnetosphere. Jupiter lights up with very beautiful aurora. Jupiter also makes radio signals and other waves, called whistler waves, chorus and hiss.


"What is a Magnetosphere?"

Parts of the Magnetosphere

How We Detect Magnetic Fields with Spacecraft


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Last modified June 3, 2003 by the Windows Team

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