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    Earth's Bow Shock in the Solar Wind

    Date: 20 Jun 2006
    Depicts: Illustration of Earth's bow shock
    Copyright: ESA

    Sketch of the Earth's magnetosphere (in blue), embedded in the solar wind flow. Due to the interaction of the permanent incoming solar wind (coming from the left of the figure) with the Earth's magnetosphere, a permanent collisionless shock called a bow shock (yellow arc) is formed in front of the nose of the magnetopause, the external boundary layer of the magnetosphere.


    Last Update: 29 Nov 2010

    • Shortcut URL
    • http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=39558
    • Latest selection
    • Waves in the magnetic reconnection region
    • The magnetic reconnection region in Earth's magnetosphere
    • Energy transferred by bursty bulk flows
    • Image Hi-Res Versions
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    • See also
    • Cluster's insight into space turbulence
    • Cluster reveals the reformation of the Earth's bow shock
    • Cluster and Double Star discover density holes in the solar wind

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