THE EARTH AND ITS MAGNETIC FIELD

Dr. David P. Stern of the Goddard Space Flight Center in collaboration with Mauricio Peredo produced a series of lessons and tutorials on the topics of Geomagnetism, and the interaction of the Sun-Earth system. http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/earthmag/demagint.htm The answers to the questions on the Earth lie within these web pages.  I will also generate some answers during my lessons about the Earth and magnetism.  While doing your research, if time is a limiting factor for you when you begin your assignment then you must choose your research topics wisely.  I found these web pagest o be fascinating, informative, and challenging to read.  It is easy to get lost in both their depth and breadth.
If you find Mr. Stern's and Mr. Peredo's lessons intriguing you should seek out another series of lessons that they have created.  These lessons can be found on-line, and are called “From Stargazers to Starships”. http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sintro.htm

If you are partaking in our teacher training program your homework is to read about an area of personal interest that you find on this CD-ROM about Geomagnetism.  As you research the disk please click on the links that are associated with the readings.  These links will include glossary definitions, and figures that support defined terms within the readings (the “back” button will always return you to your topic).  While reading your topic of interest please make notes about points that are fascinating and perplexing.  Our first discussions will center on your topics of study, questions that arose, and some of the information contained within this CD-ROM.  Again, the intent is for you to find a topic for discussion and a starting point related to your own interests.
 
Here are two images that can be used help students develop a 3-dimansional image of the Earth's magnetosphere.  IMAGE 1 is black and white.  IMAGE 2 is in color.  I found that having the students identify, label and color in the black and white image helped tham to learn the different sections.
 

Here are some topics or questions which you could research;

Inclination / Declination Angle
Top of the world, North Pole?
The Magnetosphere Shape
 Magnetopause, Magnetotail, Bow Shock
 Main divisions
 Day / night sides
 Van Allen Belts
 Plasmasphere / Plasma Sheet
 Cusps and Auroral Ovals
 Charge Drift and Ring Currents

What causes the Earth's magnetic fields?

How is it created?
Proof that it exists
How far does our magnetopause extend into the atmosphere?

What evidence is there for magnetic reversals?
Where is our current magnetic north pole?

What causes the south Atlantic anomaly?