How Does the Solar Wind Impact Earth's Magnetosphere?

[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...
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...