magnetosphere

noun

mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnē-tə-ˌsfir 

-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 

-ˈsfer-

-ˌne-

adjective

Examples of magnetosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Voyager 2’s data indicated Uranus’s protective magnetic field, called a magnetosphere, contained incredibly intense electron radiation belts and was—unlike other nearby planets—basically devoid of plasma. —Christie Wilcox, science.org, 12 Nov. 2024

Earth is surrounded by a system of magnetic fields, called the magnetosphere, that protects people from harmful space radiation. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025

View Comments Earth’s magnetic field has behaved even more dramatically in the past, with the magnetosphere weakening so much that its polarity reversed. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025

Because of the way the solar particles interact with Earth's magnetosphere, the powerful eruption made the auroras visible and active even further toward the equator than usual. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

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

Rhymes for magnetosphere

• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere
• chromosphere
• hemisphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• mesosphere

Kids Definition

magnetosphere

noun

mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnēt-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

-ˈnet-

: a region of space around an object (as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field