Two million kilometers long... NASA reveals the amazing tail of Earth... What's the story?

 

Planet Earth

Two million kilometers long... NASA reveals the amazing tail of Earth... What's the story?

NASA scientists have revealed an amazing cosmic phenomenon that many may not know about: a huge magnetic tail that extends beyond the Earth for a distance of more than two million kilometers in space. This discovery sheds light on one of the most important components of our planet's natural protective shield against radiation and solar winds.

According to a recent study by the agency, the Earth is not just a rocky ball orbiting the sun, but possesses a massive, invisible magnetic extension that forms an essential part of its interaction with the space environment.

This tail is made up of plasma, an electrically charged gas pushed by the solar wind to extend behind the planet on the night side, in a scene that, according to scientists, resembles a raindrop being dragged behind it as it falls.

The formation of the magnetic tail is due to the Earth's magnetosphere, the invisible shield that is created by the movement of molten metals in the planet's outer core.
This field directs and distributes plasma streams in a long and complex extension, the shape of which is constantly changing according to the activity of the sun.

This tail plays a pivotal role in protecting the Earth and its technological environment; it deflects cosmic radiation and high-energy particles, and directly affects satellites, astronauts, communication networks, and power.

During periods of intense solar activity, such as solar storms or flares, the tail undergoes significant changes that can lead to disturbances in "space weather," making understanding it vital for protecting critical infrastructure.

Deep within this tail, plasma flows in a pattern resembling a space river, reflecting the complex interaction between the forces of the sun and Earth, according to the Daily Galaxy website.
Despite decades of exploration, NASA confirms that the full nature of this tail remains a mystery, and that its enormous size does not allow any single spacecraft to study it completely.
This discovery represents a new step towards understanding how the magnetosphere works to protect Earth, and revealing more secrets of the relationship between our planet and the space around it.