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Earth and Martian Magentic Field Target Name:   Earth, Mars Spacecraft:   Mars Global Surveyor Produced by:   NASA, Mario Acuna, Jack Connerney, Chris Meaney Copyright:  NASA Copyright Free Policy Date Released:  29 April 1999 Related Document Magnetic Stripes Preserve Record of Ancient Mars Download Options Name Type Width x Height Size field.jpg JPEG 640 x 288 61K field.jpg JPEG 2400 x 1200 299K field.tif TIFF 2400 x 1200 2M This is an artist's concept comparing the present day magnetic fields on Earth and Mars. Earth's magnetic field is generated by an active dynamo - a hot core of molten metal. The magnetic field surrounds Earth and is considered global (left image). The various Martian magnetic fields do not encompass the entire planet and are local (right image). The Martian dynamo is extinct, and its magnetic fields are "fossil" remnants of its ancient, global magnetic field.

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