The Solar Wind

A solar wind is a stream of ionized hydrogen, helium, and other heavy ions that radiates outward from the sun and reaches velocities of about 1 million mph (1.6 million km/h) during “quiet” periods. It pushes the gas of comets' tails away from the Sun, and its “gusts” cause geomagnetic disturbances and auroras on Earth. It is believed that the solar wind has stripped away up to 1/3 of Mars' original atmosphere. What protects the Earth's atmosphere? More...