The Sun's Solar Wind Causes Geomagnetic Storms

The findings are based on new data obtained by NASA's Parker Solar Probe. The solar wind carries its own high-energy particles, as well as part of the sun's magnetic field. This crashes into the Earth's magnetosphere, causing disturbances called space weather or geomagnetic storms. They can knock out a city's power grid, disrupt navigation and communications systems, damage or even destroy spacecraft. But they also expose people in higher-altitude aircraft or in space to high doses of radiation.

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