Magnetopause

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The magnetopause is the abrupt boundary between a magnetic field, (see: magnetosphere) and surrounding plasma. The magnetopause ripples, flaps, and moves inward and outward in response to varying solar wind conditions.

In terms of planetary science, the magnetopause is the outermost boundary of the region controlled by a planet's magnetic field. It separates the magnetosheath and the magnetosphere. It is the location where the outward magnetic pressure of a planet's magnetic field is counterbalanced by the solar wind plasma.

Most of the solar particles are deflected to either side of the magnetopause, much like water is deflected before the bow of a ship. At Earth and all the other planets with intrinsic magnetic fields, some particles succeed in entering and becoming trapped within the magnetosphere. At Earth, these particles form the Van Allen radiation belts.

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