ASTROPHYSICS:
Cluster Reveals Earth's Rippling Magnetic Field
Barbara Casassus and Alexander Hellemans
PARIS--Four satellites flying in unison have revealed a hidden wild side to Earth's magnetosphere, the magnetic field enveloping the planet that acts like a gigantic deflector shield against blasts of solar radiation. The unprecedented view, unveiled here last week at European Space Agency headquarters, could help scientists devise better defenses against crippling magnetic storms.