Exploring the Solar System: Magnetic Fields

TYPE: Short Activities
AUDIENCE: Ages 7 - Adult
TOPIC: Earth and Space Science
In this activity, learners use magnets and metal items to learn about magnetic fields of the Earth, the Sun, and other objects in the universe.
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DESCRIPTION

The "Exploring the Solar System: Magnetic Fields" activity shows participants how scientists can use tools to study the invisible magnetic fields of Earth, the Sun, and other objects in the universe. Participants can see how the Sun's magnetic field extends far out into space and sends bursts of magnetic energy across the solar system, while Earth's strong magnetic field helps protect life on our planet from dangerous solar and cosmic radiation.

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  • Facilitator demonstrates a magnetic field with a small model of Earth
  • Photo of the various materials in the Magnetic Fields kit
  • Learner adding paperclips onto a magnetic Sun model
  • illustration showing how Earth's magnetic field interacts with solar winds
  • Facilitator demonstrates a magnetic field with a small model of Earth
  • Photo of the various materials in the Magnetic Fields kit
  • Learner adding paperclips onto a magnetic Sun model
  • illustration showing how Earth's magnetic field interacts with solar winds

DESCRIPTION

The "Exploring the Solar System: Magnetic Fields" activity shows participants how scientists can use tools to study the invisible magnetic fields of Earth, the Sun, and other objects in the universe. Participants can see how the Sun's magnetic field extends far out into space and sends bursts of magnetic energy across the solar system, while Earth's strong magnetic field helps protect life on our planet from dangerous solar and cosmic radiation.

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TRAINING VIDEOS

OBJECTIVES

LEARNING GOALS

  • • Scientists have observed active magnetic fields throughout the solar system.

    • Earth has a strong, protective magnetic field.

    • The Sun’s magnetic field extends out into space and sends powerful bursts of magnetic energy into the solar system.

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TYPE:
Educational Resources
AUDIENCE:
Ages 7 - Adult
LANGUAGES:
English Spanish
ADDITIONAL TOPICS: Earth and Space Science Geology Astronomy Earth, Moon and Sun Solar System Physical Sciences Electricity and Magnetism Energy
KIT: Explore Science: Earth & space logo Browse kit
KEYWORDS:

Credits

YEAR CREATED
2018
PROJECT
OWNING INSTITUTION

The Science Museum of Minnesota

FUNDING

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC67A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

PERMISSIONS

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).
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DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

NISE Network products are developed through an iterative collaborative process that includes scientific review, peer review, and visitor evaluation in accordance with an inclusive audiences approach. Products are designed to be easily edited and adapted for different audiences under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. To learn more, visit our Development Process page.