Particles in the Solar Wind

[Neuvo Galileo]

Hi Group,

Just wanted to find out :


The solar wind particles are electrically charged and arrive at the
earth with great speed, then get trapped by the magnetic field in the
magnetosphere envelope round the Earth. Right...:biggrin:
Now, what about quantity? please can you guys say:


1. what speed the particles hit the magnetosphere ( ~ approximately?)
2. how much particle mass (kg) we get over a 24-hour period or 365 day
period of time?
3. if they are mostly negative or positive ions (electrons / protons)
4. if the trapped particles could ever be turned back into neautral
atoms of normal matter by a orbiting spacecraft that is desgn to do
that?


just doing some research for a theory idea.


thx for any answers. Ciao. Joe.

[AA Institute]

I can answer your question in part, but I expect you'll have to try the astronomy or solar astronomy links from google.

1. Typically at around 400 km/sec
2. Depends on the solar activity cycle, which varies over roughly 11 years
3. Pass
4. Hmm. Intersting question! I hope there are particle physicists here that could solve this one for you...