We are always concerned about bad weather; being it a hurricane or just a bit of cold wind. However, the world might have much bigger weather-like issues to be concerned about from outer space. If you are a science nerd, you already know a thing or two about solar wind; if not, let us tell you about it, and what it has to do with our Earth. The big question is: Will solar wind ever reach Earth? If yes, what would happen if it did? Is humanity at stake?
A solar wind is simply particles charged with a stream of energy; mainly electrons and protons. It is wind that outgrows in the Sun and carries energy waves through the Solar System at total speeds of 900 km/s. These heat waves are made of plasma with temperatures as high as one million degrees. This wind is most likely to be caused by the solar corona, which is the solar atmosphere’s outer layer that is seen to the public during a solar eclipse.
Solar wind is said to have two essential forms: slow solar wind and fast solar wind; yet, they do not only differ in speed. Slow solar wind is most likely to have a velocity of 300–500 km/s and a temperature of one million degrees, which matches the corona. Fast solar wind, on the other hand, has a higher velocity of 750 km/s along with a temperature of eight million degrees, which most likely matches the Sun’s photosphere.
With all these charged particles that a solar wind carries from the Sun wandering the outer space, they cannot completely reach our planet’s surface. Our magnetic field plays a great role in protecting us from such radiations; it redirects them around the planet leaving some eye-catching effects, such as Auroras. If we did not have this magnetic shield surrounding Earth, we would easily be doomed by such powerful radiations and everything, including our planet, would be wiped out of existence!
Solar wind, however, can have greater effects on some outer technology related to Earth. For example, it can totally bring down the satellites we now use almost in everything; from navigation, communication, to outer space exploration. Being classified as a Category 5 hurricane, solar wind is dangerous to space astronauts, as well as the orbiting satellites. Power grids failure and blackouts might be some of the common effects of solar winds; yet, some aesthetic phenomena are also among the effects, such as breathtaking auroras that decorate the sky.
Going In-Depth
Solar winds have been known since the 1950s; however, scientists still do not know how they evolve. With several missions over the years, the whole phenomenon is still a total mystery! NASA is exerting a lot of effort to obtain more intel concerning this matter. On 6 October 1990, NASA launched a mission named Ulysses that was meant to study the Sun, as well as measuring the properties of its stream of energized particles entitled “Solar Winds”.
That said, there is a satellite known as NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer (AEC) that orbits at a point between Earth and Sun, equally. This particular point is known as the Lagrange Point L1 and is considered one of the special space areas because its gravity keeps the satellite stable. The core responsibility of this satellite is measuring the solar wind, as well as providing information about the particles flow.
As per NASA’s efforts, scientists now have a considerable grasp on what has been a mystery for so long; given that we do have now a full picture of what happens on the surface of the Sun, and what it is like to have the space weather affecting Earth. Moreover, for more than 25 years of studying and exploring the Sun and its stream of energies, solar wind still has the energy to wander outer space with full power, and might be still orbiting for more years to come, which means it is still a kind of a mystery to us!
Solar wind appears to be no threat to our planet, but what if our magnetic shield became weaker? Would that make any difference? Of course, it would be fatal if this stream of energies made it through to the planet; the result will no longer be mesmerizing colorful auroras, it would be a nightmare. Let us hope it will not ever make it through to Earth.
References
earthsky.org
qrg.northwestern.edu
space.com
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twB62NYsaIg
Cover image by Freepik