Magnetospheric Currents

Magnetospheric currents are streams of charged particles (electrons and ions) that flow within the Earth’s magnetic environment, called the magnetosphere. These currents are generated by interactions between the solar wind—a stream of charged particles from the Sun—and Earth's magnetic field. As solar wind particles approach, they can distort and energize the magnetic field, causing currents to form along it. These currents help shape phenomena like auroras and influence space weather by transferring energy and momentum, impacting satellite operations and communications. Essentially, they act as the magnetic system’s way of channeling and redistributing energy from the solar wind around our planet.