Open AccessSOLAR WINDS
Author(s) -
E. N. Parker
Publication year - 1959
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4190394
Subject(s) - corona (planetary geology) , physics , solar wind , astronomy , coronal mass ejection , solar radius , nanoflares , solar physics , astrophysics , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , magnetic field , astrobiology , quantum mechanics , venus
It is suggested that corpuscular radiation is hydrodynamic expansion of the solar corona which is called solar wind. Arguments are presented for this expansion of the solar corona in terms of motion of the comet tail aurorae production, magnetic storms, and cosmic-ray effects on earth. The corona is taken to be isotherrnal out to an undefined distance (in multiples of the radius of the base of the corona) and from there it expands adiabatically until supersonic velocities are reached at infinity. The solar wind is considered to continue after five astronomical units on the spiralling solar magnetic field. Applications of the solar wind hypothesis to solar sailing are discussed. (C.J.G.