Charged particles from our Sun travelling too fast?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of Hawking radiation being responsible for the faster-than-expected movement of charged particles from the Sun to Earth. However, it is concluded that Hawking radiation is specific to black holes and cannot apply to the Sun. The discussion also touches on the differences between black holes and other objects with a Schwarzschild radius.
  • #1
verdigris
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I read somewhere (Wikipedia I think) that charges particles are leaving our Sun and heading for Earth faster than can be explained by current solar models.Is it possible that there is some Hawking radiation inside the Sun imparting extra energy to these particles? Or does Hawking radiation only come from Black Holes?
 
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  • #2
  • #3
Hawking radiation may seem too theretical but it could also be imparting extra momentum to high-speed charged particles emitted by black holes with accretion discs.The disc mass outside the hole would somehow have to be raising the temperature of the hole.But I'm sure that any calculation to prove this would be immensely difficult.And I'm more like Eisenstein than Einstein!
 
  • #4
Hawking radiation is specific to black holes only. It's an effect of negative energy states being available inside the event horizon of a black hole. No event horizon means no negative energy states, meaning no Hawking radiation.
 
  • #5
A black hole with an accretion disc is a mass with another mass outside it.
The Sun can have one atom at its centre with the rest of its mass outside this atom.What's the difference - that atom would have a Schwarzshild radius.And there could be nothing at the centre of a black hole or of the Sun-what if the centres are just geometrical points?
 
  • #6
Any object has a Schwarzschild radius. But, the object is only a black hole if all of its mass is contained inside said radius. This is not the case for any atom, nucleus, nucleon, etc.
 

1. How do charged particles from the Sun travel so fast?

The charged particles, also known as solar wind, are accelerated by the Sun's intense magnetic field. This field is created by the movement of plasma within the Sun's atmosphere, which in turn propels the particles out into space at high speeds.

2. Can these charged particles from the Sun affect Earth?

Yes, they can. When the solar wind reaches Earth, it interacts with our planet's magnetic field and can cause disturbances in the Earth's atmosphere. This can lead to auroras, or Northern and Southern Lights, and can also disrupt satellite and communication systems.

3. How fast do these charged particles travel?

The speed of the solar wind can vary, but on average it travels at around 400 km/s (or 900,000 miles per hour). However, during solar storms or other intense solar events, the speed can increase significantly.

4. Are there any dangers associated with these fast-moving charged particles?

For the most part, Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field protect us from any harmful effects of the solar wind. However, astronauts and satellites in space can be affected by the charged particles and may need additional shielding to protect them.

5. How do scientists study these charged particles from the Sun?

Scientists use instruments such as satellites and ground-based telescopes to study the properties of the solar wind, including its speed and direction. They also collect and analyze data from past and current solar events to better understand how the charged particles can impact Earth and other planets in our solar system.

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