Published on StarDate Online (https://legacy.stardate.org)

Home > Getting Squeezed

Getting Squeezed [1]

The planet Saturn generates a powerful magnetic field that usually encompasses Titan and its other moons. At times, though, it's compressed enough by the solar wind -- a steady stream of charged particles from the Sun -- to leave Titan unprotected. The solar wind sculpts Saturn's magnetic field into a tear-drop shape. The Sun-facing side of the magnetic field is compressed toward Saturn, while the trailing side extends much farther into space. [ESA]

Moon and Saturn
solar wind compresses saturn's magnetic field
  • About StarDate
  • Underwriting
  • SkyTips Sign-Up
  • Change mailing address
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright and Usage
  • Contact

StarDate is brought to you in part through the generous support of our underwriters.
Interested in underwriting? Let us know

 

FacebookTwitterYouTube

©2022 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory


Source URL:https://legacy.stardate.org/astro-guide/gallery/getting-squeezed

Links
[1] https://legacy.stardate.org/astro-guide/gallery/getting-squeezed