SOLAR SYSTEM

UNIVERSE

LIFE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field, called a magnetosphere, that protects organisms on Earth from some types of solar radiation. Since Mars and Venus do not have magnetospheres, which of the following statements is most likely true?
A
Mars and Venus are unable to support life.
B
Mars and Venus are too cold to support life.
C
Mars and Venus are able to support life.
D
Mars and Venus will support life in the future.
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The magnetosphere shields our home planet from harmful solar and cosmic particle radiation, as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind – the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun.

Detailed explanation-2: -Forces deep inside Saturn create a giant magnetic bubble around the planet, called the magnetosphere, which exerts a powerful influence on the space environment near the planet. Saturn’s magnetic field is created as material cycles deep within the planet’s fluid interior.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune each have an intrinsic magnetosphere due to their internal magnetic fields. Venus and Mars, on the other hand, lack a global magnetic field, which might have been responsible for Mars losing its atmosphere due to solar wind sputtering.

Detailed explanation-4: -Earth’s magnetic shield protects us from the cosmic radiation and is strongest at the equator and weakest near the poles. The magnetic shield diverts most of the radiation around the earth. Earth’s atmosphere shields us from most of the remaining radiation that travels to Earth.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Earth’s magnetosphere is a spherical electromagnetic sheath that surrounds the earth and travels through space, protecting us from solar wind and cosmic radiation.

There is 1 question to complete.