The solar wind permeates the solar system, actually defining its shape and scope, as it blasts along at 125 miles per second on the slow days. During snappier binges, strong gusts blasting into Earth's magnetic bubble can have a myriad of ramifications from the beautiful and benign aurora above Earth's poles to the shutdown of power and communications systems on the planet. At the same meeting, astronomers also discussed the forces behind volcanic-type explosions of gas from the sun's atmosphere. These so-called fountains are places of increased pressure at the base of the sun's magnetic fields, said Michelle Murray, also from University College London. As the magnetic fields rearrange themselves, the pressure periodically tails off, allowing the gases to fall back toward the sun's surface. Computer simulations based on Hinode data show that when a new section of magnetic field pushes through the solar surface, it generates a continual cycle of fountains. "New magnetic fields are constantly emerging across the whole of the solar surface, so our results can explain a whole multitude of fountains that have been observed," Murray said. Related Links : |
advertisement
Download Space News!
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
