Puzzle page #1: Solar Wind

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Today's Puzzle Answer: Solar Wind

This animation shows the Earth being bathed by energetic particles from the Sun. The view then transitions to a top-down view of the solar system, showing the solar wind flowing out toward the edges of the system. A final transition shows the heliosphere being buffetted by the interplanetary medium from the rest of the galaxy.
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab/Jonathan North

From the center of the solar system rages a powerful wind. Sent by the Sun, this wind whips at speeds exceeding one million miles per hour as it traverses to the edge of interstellar space, bathing everything in its path. 

The solar wind is made up of electrically charged particles, including protons, electrons, and ions (atoms missing one or more electrons), that have escaped from the Sun. It emanates from features on the Sun such as dark and cool regions called coronal holes, as well as bright and hot active regions, which are characterized by strong magnetic fields.

As the solar wind gushes out from the Sun, it drags the Sun’s magnetic field with it, which twists into a spiral shape as the Sun continues to rotate. This structure became known as the "Parker spiral," after preeminent solar scientist Eugene Parker, who developed the first theory of the solar wind in 1958.

In honor of Dr. Parker, in 2018 NASA launched Parker Solar Probe on its ambitious journey to the Sun.

Learn more about the solar wind.

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