atmosphere does squat... well ok it does more then squat, but not much more:D. Like Wha said its the magnetosphere that does all the work to keep us safe.
If we were to lose the magnetosphere we'd all be dead in seconds.
Here is the basics of how it works.... (Gwarsbane puts his mister science hat on)
Earth has a molten core of metal that spins. Around that core is more metal that does not move as fast as the core. This creates a magnet (this is why we have a north and south pole).
If you take a magnet, piece of paper and some metal filings, put the magnet under the paper and sprinkle the filings on top of the magnet you will see the lines of force for the north and south pole.
The earth has those same lines of magnetic force, just on a MUCH larger scale.
Magnetically charged particles (known as the solar wind) come from the the sun. They are non-stop. The magnetic field around the earth deflects them like an umbrella deflects rain.
A solar flare is like a gust of solar wind. From personal experience I know that a gust of wind will make my umbrella move is different ways and some rain will hit me if the wind is strong enough.
Well if the solar flare (solar wind gust) is strong enough it can push the magnetosphere around and some of the highly charged particles will get into our atmosphere.
These particles that get into our atmorsphere is what causes the northern lights (Aurora Borealis)
These particles are always getting into the northern area because the magnetic field is not as strong there because it folds in on itself there. But sometimes when a large flare comes the earths magnetic field can only hold back so much and then you get the northern lights lower to the equator then they normally are.
Its those charged particles that mess with power grids and communications.
All the above info is just from memory from my science class that I had nearly 10 years ago. I'm sure some info is a little messed up, but I do remember most of it. Course I was also lisening to my walkman and reading a sci-fi/fantasy novel all science class and still getting 80s and 90s in it. :D
If we were to lose the magnetosphere we'd all be dead in seconds.
Here is the basics of how it works.... (Gwarsbane puts his mister science hat on)
Earth has a molten core of metal that spins. Around that core is more metal that does not move as fast as the core. This creates a magnet (this is why we have a north and south pole).
If you take a magnet, piece of paper and some metal filings, put the magnet under the paper and sprinkle the filings on top of the magnet you will see the lines of force for the north and south pole.
The earth has those same lines of magnetic force, just on a MUCH larger scale.
Magnetically charged particles (known as the solar wind) come from the the sun. They are non-stop. The magnetic field around the earth deflects them like an umbrella deflects rain.
A solar flare is like a gust of solar wind. From personal experience I know that a gust of wind will make my umbrella move is different ways and some rain will hit me if the wind is strong enough.
Well if the solar flare (solar wind gust) is strong enough it can push the magnetosphere around and some of the highly charged particles will get into our atmosphere.
These particles that get into our atmorsphere is what causes the northern lights (Aurora Borealis)
These particles are always getting into the northern area because the magnetic field is not as strong there because it folds in on itself there. But sometimes when a large flare comes the earths magnetic field can only hold back so much and then you get the northern lights lower to the equator then they normally are.
Its those charged particles that mess with power grids and communications.
All the above info is just from memory from my science class that I had nearly 10 years ago. I'm sure some info is a little messed up, but I do remember most of it. Course I was also lisening to my walkman and reading a sci-fi/fantasy novel all science class and still getting 80s and 90s in it. :D