The Forces At Work, Chapter 1 We are just beginning to understand the forces that connect the Sun and planets in a very dynamic process. The main forces that control the interactions between the Sun and Earth are gravity and electromagnetism. Gravity holds the planets in place and keeps them from flying off into space. Electromagnetic forces protect the planets and keep them from being drawn into the sun by gravity. Those forces are used to form a dynamo system which is held in a cocoon called the magnetosphere. The two forces work together to keep a balance between the Sun and the planets. Gravity keeps pulling the planets toward the sun, but the electromagnetic forces keep holding them it back. This doesn’t mean that the forces are canceled out and eliminated. The energy is used to move the planets around the sun and keep them rotating on their axes.  The force of gravity that draws the planets towards the sun is diverted to the task or moving each planet in its orbit around the sun. The electromagnetic energy that keeps the planets from being drawn into the sun is doing something else as well. It rotates the planets and keep them moving on their axes. This action constantly provides daylight and darkness on Earth and other planets. The stronger the electromagnetic force acting on a planet, the faster it rotates on its axis. Also, the slower the planet rotates, the weaker the electromagnetic forces will be.  The most amazing thing about the forces is that they were developed while the Sun was forming. The sun, planets, and the entire solar system formed together as a unit. To further understand the Sun-Earth connection, we will start from the beginning. Our Solar System, Chapter 2 Magnetosphere, Chapter 3 Radiation Belts, Chapter 4 Magnetic Fields, Chapter 5 Earth’s Dynamo, Chapter 6 Dynamo Systems, Chapter 7 The Sun as a Dynamo, Chapter 8 Auroras Chapter 9 Space Weather Chapter 10 References |