An introduction to the solar system planetary magnetospheres is presented. First the process of formation of the magnetosphere by the interaction of solar wind with an electromagnetic planetary obstacle is shown. Next, a general description of magnetosphere regions is presented. Finally, a short description of the solar system eight planetary magnetospheres is given. Planetary magnetospheres are of two types: intrinsic (Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), when the planet has an active and intrinsic magnetic field and the interaction creating the magnetosphere occurs between the solar wind and the planetary field, with contributions of the planetary plasma; and induced (Venus and Mars), when the planet lacks an internal field, and it is the interaction between the solar wind and the planetary atmosphere/ionosphere that forms the magnetosphere. An example of in-situ observations at a planetary magnetosphere is presented with magnetic field data from the Cassini mission at Saturn.
planetary magnetospheres; solar wind; planetary magnetic field; solar system
