magnetosphere

noun

mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnē-tə-ˌsfir How to pronounce magnetosphere (audio)
-ˈne-
: a region of space surrounding a celestial object (such as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field so that charged particles are trapped in it
magnetospheric
mag-ˌnē-tə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce magnetosphere (audio)
-ˈsfer-
-ˌne-
adjective

Examples of magnetosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When energy from the solar wind is exchanged into the space ecosphere that envelops Earth, a significant disruption of the magnetosphere is known as a geomagnetic storm. Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The type and severity of that disturbance depends on variations in the solar wind, which can produce major changes in the currents, plasmas and fields in Earth's magnetosphere. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2024 The storm also adds energy to currents in the magnetosphere in the form of heat that can increase both the density and distribution of density in the upper atmosphere, in turn causing extra drag on satellites in low-Earth orbit. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2024 Space radiation The Earth has a protective shield called a magnetosphere, which is the area of space around a planet that is controlled by its magnetic field. Rachael Seidler, Discover Magazine, 22 Sep. 2023 Ganymede's magnetic field punches a cavity inside Jupiter's magnetosphere, which in turn creates a mini magnetosphere within Jupiter's own, according to a study from 2004 published in the Cambridge University Press on magnetospheric interactions with satellites. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2021 BepiColombo also measured the planet’s relatively small magnetosphere – including the magnetopause and the bow shock, areas where the magnetic field meets the solar wind. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023 Primary cosmic ray particles are all the particles that hit our magnetosphere, and secondary cosmic ray particles are the ones that actually make it through. Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 22 June 2023 Her work uncovers the connection between Earth’s magnetosphere and its atmosphere and how the two work together to shield the ground from showers of strong radiation from space. Lyndie Chiou, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magnetosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

magneto- + -sphere

Note: Term introduced by the Austrian-born physicist Thomas Gold (1920-2004) in "Motions in the Magnetosphere of the Earth," Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 64, no. 9 (September, 1959), pp. 1219-24.

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnetosphere was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near magnetosphere

Cite this Entry

“Magnetosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetosphere. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

magnetosphere

noun
mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnēt-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce magnetosphere (audio)
-ˈnet-
: a region of space around an object (as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field

More from Merriam-Webster on magnetosphere

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