Solar wind

The solar wind is the continuous stream of energetic and ionized particles from the Sun that extends far into interplanetary space. The solar wind strongly interacts with magnetic fields of the planets and will often manifest itself as aurorae in the upper atmospheres of planets with magnetic fields. In the case of Mars, with a weak (often considered to be non-existent) global magnetic field, solar wind particles have greater penetration into the atmosphere creating a hazard to any future human settlements on the surface. The solar wind is often associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), solar flares and coronal holes.

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