Photons and solar wind/plasma interaction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interaction between the Sun's photons and the solar wind, specifically whether photons can accelerate plasma away from the Sun. It is established that radiation pressure from the Sun's blackbody radiation contributes to the acceleration of the solar wind. However, this effect alone does not fully account for the observed high velocities of the solar wind, indicating that additional mechanisms are likely involved in this phenomenon.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radiation pressure and its effects
  • Familiarity with solar physics and the solar wind
  • Knowledge of blackbody radiation concepts
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy in astrophysics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of radiation pressure in astrophysical contexts
  • Explore the mechanisms behind solar wind acceleration
  • Study the properties of the Sun's corona and its temperature effects
  • Investigate alternative theories explaining solar wind velocities
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying solar physics or plasma interactions will benefit from this discussion.

BeedS
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Can the suns photons accelerate the plasma/solar wind away from the sun? or is there no interaction between them?
 
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BeedS said:
Can the suns photons accelerate the plasma/solar wind away from the sun? or is there no interaction between them?
What an astute observation! - It's interesting, that the observed velocities of the solar wind cannot be explained by purely kinetic energy based on the temperature of the sun's corona. Radiation pressure from the Sun's blackbody radiation will help accelerate the solar wind, but the effect is still not large enough to account for the wind's high velocities, so it's still an open mystery...
 

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