Why solar wind does not cool down as fast as expected?
Simulating the solar wind.
ESA's Solar Orbiter mission. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab
Solar wind is a constant stream of plasma and particles emanating from the sun. This stream of energized and charged particles emanating from the sun travels at speeds as high as 900 km/s and a temperature of 1 million degrees (Celsius).
These ejections significantly impact the conditions of our solar system and constantly hit the Earth.
It has long puzzled scientists: why the bursts of hot gas from the sun do not cool down as fast as expected?