How does the Earths magnetic field protect us?
The Earth’s magnetic field is continually protecting us by deflecting energetic, charged particles and the magnetic field of the solar wind.. If it were not for the earth’s magnetic field, the charged particles would change the ionosphere and destroy the ozone layer permitting high levels of harmful UV radiation to reach Earth’s surface. 14. What impact does space weather (geomagnetic storms) have on Earth? f. all of the above – Satellites can be disabled or have their orbits decay; auroras become more frequent and bright; power grids can be overloaded and cause power outages to cities and homes; radio transmissions can be drowned out. 15. What is a sunspot? In the space below, please draw a picture of a sunspot, and label as many parts as you can. Draw the magnetic field lines around the sunspot(s). Pictorial representations could include: • Photosphere: the Sun’s visible surface, upon which sunspots appear. • Umbra: a dark, roughly circular central disk. The term umbra means “shade”
