PIA16825: Magnetic Fields and Bow Shocks (Illustration)


Magnetic Fields and Bow Shocks (Illustration)

Caption:

This illustration shows "quasi-parallel" (top) and "quasi-perpendicular" (bottom) magnetic field conditions at a planetary bow shock. Bow shocks are shockwaves created when the solar wind blows on a planet's magnetic field.

Under quasi-parallel conditions, the planet's magnetic field is roughly pointing toward the shock surface, almost parallel to a vector at right angles to the shock front (red arrow). Under quasi-perpendicular conditions, the magnetic field is close to aligned with the shock surface, that is, almost perpendicular to the shock vector.

Background Info:

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.

For more information about the Cassini-Huygens mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/cassini and http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/ .

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Saturn
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Cassini-Huygens
Instrument Host Cassini Orbiter
Host Type Orbiter
Instrument
Detector
Extra Keywords Color, Magnetosphere
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2013-02-19
Date in Caption
Image Credit ESA
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA16825
Identifier PIA16825