päikesetuul

Päikesetuul, also known as solar wind, is a stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona. This plasma, consisting mainly of electrons, protons, and alpha particles, travels outwards through the solar system at high speeds. The temperature of the corona is extremely high, millions of degrees Celsius, which provides the energy for these particles to escape the Sun's gravitational pull.

The solar wind is not a constant phenomenon. Its speed and density can vary significantly, influenced by solar activity such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These events can cause sudden bursts of high-energy particles to be ejected, leading to phenomena like auroras on Earth. The Sun's magnetic field also plays a crucial role in shaping the solar wind, guiding its flow and creating the heliosphere, a vast bubble that surrounds the solar system and is filled with solar wind plasma.

The Earth's magnetic field acts as a shield, deflecting most of the solar wind. However, some particles can penetrate the magnetosphere, particularly at the poles, leading to the beautiful displays of the Northern and Southern Lights. The solar wind also interacts with other planets and celestial bodies, influencing their atmospheres and magnetic fields. Understanding the solar wind is important for space weather forecasting, protecting satellites and astronauts from its harmful effects, and for studying the evolution of planetary atmospheres.