Our sun emits powerful winds that can even effect satellites orbiting Earth. Although scientist are still debating, it is thought that these winds are caused by Alfvén waves. These waves are formed the sun's magnetic fireld. New images, showing an average of 240 daily plasma jets, support this thesis. The plasma jets fuel the Alfvén waves. The jets and waves are formed when constantmagnetic field lines suddenly shift and drag protons and electons with them. Bright spots are particularly energetic regions or the sun.
Friday, December 14, 2007
2.7: A Jet from the Sun
Our sun emits powerful winds that can even effect satellites orbiting Earth. Although scientist are still debating, it is thought that these winds are caused by Alfvén waves. These waves are formed the sun's magnetic fireld. New images, showing an average of 240 daily plasma jets, support this thesis. The plasma jets fuel the Alfvén waves. The jets and waves are formed when constantmagnetic field lines suddenly shift and drag protons and electons with them. Bright spots are particularly energetic regions or the sun.
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