Ohhh, look at that. It’s here already, and for now it’s not causing a storm! But if it’s a “spaghetti war,” then it’s definitely a headache!
But what is this…:
"The IMF (Interplanetary Magnetic Field)
The IMF is the magnetic field carried by the solar wind, originating from the Sun.
The Sun’s magnetic field travels with the solar wind and spreads through the Solar System in a spiral shape, known as the Parker Spiral.
Magnetosphere
The magnetosphere is a “protective bubble” created by Earth’s own magnetic field, which deflects the solar wind and the IMF.
Earth’s magnetic field is dipolar (like a bar magnet), but due to the solar wind, it is compressed on the day side and stretched on the night side (tailward).
Interaction between the IMF and the magnetosphere
When the IMF’s magnetic field lines encounter Earth’s magnetosphere, the following may occur:
Reconnection – if the IMF is oriented southward (i.e., opposite to Earth’s northward magnetic field), Earth’s magnetic field lines can connect with those of the IMF.
This allows the IMF’s field lines to "enter" the magnetosphere, mainly near the polar regions.
This plays an important role in auroras, magnetic storms, and space weather phenomena.
So the phrase “IMF field lines in the magnetosphere” refers to the fact that the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) field lines can occasionally appear or exert influence within Earth’s magnetosphere, especially when reconnection occurs."**
In the following video, you can see the flow of the solar wind depending on the Parker Spiral.
At the center is the Sun, and directly opposite it is Earth—I'm pointing to it with an arrow.
So the forecast is accurate: the solar wind streaming from the coronal hole is expected to reach us tomorrow.
Symptoms:
Some people are already feeling it, others will feel it tomorrow, and some may only notice it afterward.
Solar wind = electrons + protons.
Does the magnetosphere protect us like a shield?
Partly yes—but it also channels in the energy that Earth needs.
That’s why we see auroras.
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