What are the particles that comprise the solar wind?

The solar wind streams plasma and particles from the sun out into space. Though the wind is constant, its properties aren't. What causes this stream, and how does it affect the Earth? Windy star. read more

Solar wind consists mainly of protons and electrons, with some admixture of helium and even smaller of heavier ions. The composition is similar to the composition of solar corona. read more

Many energetic particles in the solar wind, represented in gold, are deflected by Earth's magnetic "shield". Credit: Walt Feimer (HTSI)/NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab The solar wind streams plasma and particles from the sun out into space. read more

The solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona. This plasma consists of mostly electrons, protons and alpha particles with thermal energy between 1.5 and 10 keV. Embedded within the solar-wind plasma is the interplanetary magnetic field. read more