solar wind

American  

noun

1. an emanation from the sun's corona consisting of a flow of charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, that interacts with the magnetic field of the earth and other planetary bodies.

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solar wind British  

/ wɪnd /

noun

1. the constant stream of charged particles, esp protons and electrons, emitted by the sun at high velocities, its density and speed varying during periods of solar activity. It interacts with the earth's magnetic field, some of the particles being trapped by the magnetic lines of force, and causes auroral displays See also Van Allen belt magnetosphere

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solar wind Scientific  

1. A continuous stream of plasma ejected by the Sun, flowing outward from the corona. This plasma, which consists mostly of protons and electrons, has enough energy to escape the Sun's gravitational field at speeds ranging from about 300 to 800 km (186 to 496 mi) per second and averaging 1,610,000 km (1,000,000 mi) per hour, which allows the solar wind to reach Earth in about 3.9 days. The speed and intensity of the solar wind depends on magnetic activity at different regions of the Sun. The solar wind spreads out from the Sun in a pinwheel pattern as a result of the Sun's rotation, pushing back the interstellar medium to the boundary known as the heliopause. The tails of comets, which always extend away from the Sun regardless of the direction of the comet's motion, are a result of the impact of solar wind, which dislodges ice and other particles from the comet's surface. Similar winds flowing from other stars are called stellar winds.

2. See also aurora

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solar wind Cultural  

1. A stream of particles (mostly protons) emitted by the sun and permeating the solar system.

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Discover More

Particularly strong bursts of particles can penetrate the upper atmosphere and disrupt radio communications on Earth.

Etymology

Origin of solar wind

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Space weathering, caused by solar wind particles, micrometeorite impacts, and cosmic radiation, slowly darkens exposed material.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

“You are going to get more solar, wind, batteries, and nuclear,” he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Red aurora tends to appear during particularly powerful geomagnetic storms, when the solar wind is strong enough to push particles to extreme heights.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The agreements cover nearly 700 megawatts of solar, wind and battery capacity across Australia, and the company is targeting two gigawatts of long-term power purchase agreements in the country by 2028.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Some two or three times farther from the Sun than Pluto is, the pressure of the interstellar protons and electrons becomes greater than the minuscule pressure there exerted by the solar wind.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan