Difference between revisions of "Solar wind"
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'''Solar wind''' is particles, usually [[electron]]s and [[proton]]s, continually streaming away from the corona of the [[Sun]]. The solar wind is extremely sparse, containing only a few fast moving particles per cubic centimeter at the Earth. The exact geometry and extent of the solar wind is not well known. | '''Solar wind''' is particles, usually [[electron]]s and [[proton]]s, continually streaming away from the corona of the [[Sun]]. The solar wind is extremely sparse, containing only a few fast moving particles per cubic centimeter at the Earth. The exact geometry and extent of the solar wind is not well known. | ||
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| + | The solar wind creates the Heliosphere, a bubble in the interstellar medium surrounding the [[solar system]]. Solar wind also creates the the [[aurora]] or "Northern Lights", and causes the tails of [[comet|comets]] to always point away from the sun. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
[http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/glossary.html#sol_wind APOD Glossary] | [http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/glossary.html#sol_wind APOD Glossary] | ||
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| + | [http://helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/heliosph.html Heliosphere] | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
Revision as of 12:54, May 23, 2009
Solar wind is particles, usually electrons and protons, continually streaming away from the corona of the Sun. The solar wind is extremely sparse, containing only a few fast moving particles per cubic centimeter at the Earth. The exact geometry and extent of the solar wind is not well known.
The solar wind creates the Heliosphere, a bubble in the interstellar medium surrounding the solar system. Solar wind also creates the the aurora or "Northern Lights", and causes the tails of comets to always point away from the sun.