Information About Jupiter's Magnetic Field

Magnetic Giant

• Like other planets, Jupiter has a "magnetic personality;" it acts like a giant magnet in space, pulling charged particles from solar winds toward it and trapping them in its rotation.

The Magnetic Field

• The force of Jupiter's magnetism totally surrounds it. It's called its magnetic field. The magnetic field is in an area of space scientists call the magnetosphere. The field acts like a shield, protecting Jupiter from the solar wind.

What Is The Magnetic Field?

• Scientists don't really understand how planets produce magnetic fields, but research suggests they're generated by movement of electrically charged particles in the interior of a planet. Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than Earth's because Jupiter is bigger and rotates faster.

Radio Waves From Jupiter

• Telescopes on Earth pick up radio waves from Jupiter constantly. The waves reach Earth in two forms--bursts of radio energy and continuous radiation.

Lots of Radiation

• Continuous radiation comes from Jupiter's surface as well as from high-energy particles in the radiation belts.