The sun is constantly sending out a stream of charged particles into space, called the solar wind. The strength of the solar wind varies. It is usually at its strongest when the number of sunspots is highest. As these particles pass by Earth, some are trapped by the planet’s magnetic field, interacting with gases in the atmosphere. The reaction between particles and gases creates a multicoloured light-show that can be seen from Earth.
Solar winds are geomagnetic storms that are formed by charged particles radiated by the outer atmosphere of the sun. These winds are said to develop within the center of the sun, which is a hot volatile core. All planets are protected from the sun’s magnetic power by a magnetic field that deflects the power of the sun. The two effects of solar winds that manage to permeate the magnetic field are geo magnetic storms and disruption of communication and other satellites positioned in outer space.
The solar winds ejected by the sun’s corona or center are highly charged magnetic particles that travel through the atmosphere at 400 km per second. While each planet is protected by a magnetic field that deflects these charged volatile solar winds, the earth’s convenient position away from the sun is also a factor that keeps us protected from the ill effects of solar winds. Planets positioned closer to the sun experience considerable degeneration of the magnetic field through the power of solar winds.
The effects of solar winds on the earth that are visible to naked eye are the Aurora Borealis (the Northern lights) at the North Pole and the Aurora Australis (he Southern Lights) at the South Pole. The fiery tail seen attached to comets is the effect of solar winds visible to the naked eye.
We suffer the effects of solar winds on earth today because of the number of communication satellites in outer space. The magnetic field of solar distorts and even destroys the functioning of communication satellites. Astronauts and cosmonauts suffer serious radiation related health conditions if they are caught in the path of solar winds. Radiation from solar winds is known to cause chromosome damage and cancer, and these conditions may be fatal for humans in outer space. Radio and television communication and satellite based internet services are disrupted by solar winds. Military satellites are the affected the worst by solar winds. Geomagnetic storms caused by solar winds are very strong and can destabilize or destroy power grids. They also affect all navigation and communication systems especially for vessels at sea. Aircraft communications and instruments in the aircraft will be susceptible to faulty functioning during geomagnetic storms.
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