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

A portion of those particles are channeled to Earth’s magnetic poles, and when the solar wind is particularly active, they become visible as the aurora borealis and aurora australis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

It also said it would spend $8 billion over 10 years on four other wedge strategies: solar, wind, hydrogen and natural gas.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

A recent report from the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation found that 99% of all U.S. coal plants are now more expensive to run than replacement by new local solar, wind or energy storage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Matter blown outward from the Sun’s atmosphere, the solar wind, carries fragments of dust and ice back behind the comet, making an incipient tail.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan