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Did you know the Earth is a magnet?

iStockphoto/ Getty Images, Londen

Yes, really! This is how compasses work. These are magnets, too, and they always point due north. A compass is an important tool for finding the way, especially for ships.

Protection
The Earth’s magnetic field is important to us for another reason. It is not only noticeable near the Earth’s surface. The magnetic field extends far out into space, all around the Earth. In this way, the magnetic field creates a zone that we call the magnetosphere. The magnetosphere shields us from the harmful particles zipping in from the sun and the rest of the cosmos.