Answer to Question #90280 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for Shivam Nishad

Question

What is solar wind ? Explain, briefly, the reasons for its occurrence. How are the Van-Allen radiation belts formed ?

Answer 1

Solar wind is a continuous flow of particles (mainly helium-hydrogen plasma) rushing into surrounding space out of the corona of the Sun with speeds from 300 to 1200 km/s. The solar wind is not the visible sunlight. The main reason for it occurrence is high temperature of the corona (millions of degrees). However the way it happens is a very complex problem.

The Van-Allen radiation belts are formed by these particles caught and collected in magnetosphere of planets if these particles do not have enough kinetic energy to pass through the magnetosphere.