Earths magnetic field. Artwork showing Earths magnetosphere (blue) in the solar wind (not to scale). The field lines originate from the poles, and form a shield that protects the Earth from the radiation of the solar wind (orange). The solar wind is made up of energetic charged particles. Earths magnetic field channels these towards the poles, where they collide with the atmosphere and produce aurorae. The pressure of the solar wind causes Earths magnetic field to be flattened on the sunward side and form a tail millions of kilometres long pointing away from the Sun. The field is generated by currents of molten iron in the Earths core.