Mercury

Mecury, the first planet in the solar system has a magnetosphere equal to 1/3000th of Earth's magnetosphere. The equatorial surface magnetic field of Mercury is equal to 250nT. The magnetosphere is actually more efficient than Earth's is, It actually extracts energy from the solar wind better than Earth's.

Venus

Venus' magnetosphere is less than one hundred thousandths of Earth's magnetosphere. Venus' magnetosphere is different than Earth's in that it is induced by the solar wind rather than being created internally. Since the magnetosphere is induced rather than being Intrinsic, it plays a little to no role in the interaction with solar wind. It is unknown how much how much atmosphere is actually being lost to solar wind. Since Venus' magnetosphere is quite different than that of Earth's many of the phenomena that occurs in Venus' magnetosphere is not understood.

Mars

The red planet, Mars' is suspected to have a magnetosphere about one ten thousandths less than Earth's magnetosphere. Although the actual size of Mars' magnetosphere is unknown, it is very similar to that of Venus', having an induced magnetosphere instead of an intrinsic like Earth does. Like Venus, Mars' magnetosphere had no significant interaction with solar wind. Mars' is thought to have a magnetized ionosphere because the solar wind dynamic pressure exceeds the thermal pressure.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet in our solar system, it is only fitting that it has the largest magnetosphere of all the planets. It has magnetosphere strength about ten thousand times stronger than that of Earth's magnetosphere and an equatorial force about ten times stronger than Earth's. It is so large that the sun could fit inside its magnetosphere. The enormous size is due to the fact that the magnetosphere has great strength and the solar wind that hits the magnetosphere is very weak. If Jupiter's magnetosphere was visible it would actually appear larger than the moon from earth.

Saturn

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, but its magnetosphere is only 580 times greater than Earth's and the equatorial force is about equal to Earth's. Saturn's magnetosphere is unique in its own respect though. Unlike the other planets the dipole moment is not tilted to respect to the axis.

Uranus

Uranus and Neptune's magnetospheres are very similar to each, and other than the tilt they are both very Earth like. The Magnetosphere of Uranus is 210 times greater than Earth's magnetosphere. The tilt of Uranus is very unique; it is offset 59% from the axis that the planet rotates on. The center of the magnetosphere is also offset 30% of the radius from center of Uranus. With all of these offsets the tail of the magnetosphere creates a twisting motion.

Neptune

Neptune is the second of the offset planets, with a magnetosphere about 1/4 the strength of Earth's. Much like Venus, the axis of the magnetosphere is about 47% offset from the actual axis of the planet and the center of the magnetosphere is 55% of the radius from the center of the planet. Also like the Uranus the tail of the magnetosphere creates a twisting pattern thanks to the extreme offsets. One unique thing that Neptune has that Venus does is that it is populated by fewer protons and electrons per unit volume than any of the other gas planets.

Pluto

Little is known about Pluto, including details about the magnetosphere. Therefore there is no useful information that can be conveyed about its magnetosphere at this time. There is a mission in the works to find more out about Pluto, but until then everything is just speculation. If you wish to learn more of the first mission to Pluto click on the picture of Pluto.

Resources
www.window.ucar.edu/tour

gw.marketingden.com/planets

http://esapub.esrin.esa.it

www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu

hurlbut.jhuapl.edu

Glossary