GALLERY
What is Solar Wind ?
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles that released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun called The Corona. The solar winds varies in density , temperature, and speed over time and over solar latitude and longitude. Its particles can escape the Sun's gravity because of their high energy resulting from the high temperature of the corona, which in turn is a result of the coronal magnetic field.
At a distance of more than a few solar radii from the Sun , the solar wind reaches speeds of 250-750 km/s and is supersonic , this means the solar wind moves faster than the speed of the fast magnetosonic waves
Definition of Magnetosonic Wave :
(is a linear magnetohydrodynamic wave that is driven by both pressure and magnetic tension).
Images Credits : firstpost.com
How does its affect the earth ?
It affects it by the intense clouds of high energy particles that it often contains which are produced by solar storms. When these clouds, called coronal mass ejections, make their way to the Earth in 3-4 days, they collide with the magnetic field of the Earth and cause it to change its shape. The particles then leak through the magnetic field of the Earth, and causes more changes to the magnetic field of the Earth. These changes can produce many problems with electrical equipment. Also, in the direction opposite the Sun, the Earth's magnetic field is pulled way out into interplanetary space making it look like a comet. In this 'geotail' region many different electrical disturbances take place that can accelerate particles to very high speeds and energies.
Images Credits : researchgate.net
Solar Wind effects on Earth :
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It's commonly referred to as a solar storm or Geomagnetic Storm. It can cause disrupt in communications, navigation systems, and satellites. Solar Storm been known to cause earthly power grids to fail that can cause blackouts. And solar storm are a danger to the astronauts in space.
Images Credits : earthtimes.org