Stellar analogs for the solar wind have proven to be frustratingly difficult to detect directly. However, these stellar winds can be studied indirectly by observing the interaction regions carved out by the collisions between these winds and the interstellar medium (ISM). These interaction regions are called "astrospheres", analogous to the "heliosphere" surrounding the Sun. The heliosphere and...

The electron temperature profile in the polar coronal hole inferred by the ionic charge state data of the fast wind exhibits a local maximum of 1:5 10 K. This indicates the existence of electron heating in the source region of the fast solar wind. In this paper, a two-fluid solar wind model, which incorporates additional ‘mechanical’ heating, is used to investigate the heating of the electrons ...

We present a further investigation into the increased ionization observed in element charge states in the fast solar wind compared to its coronal hole source regions. Once ions begin to be perpendicularly heated by ion cyclotron waves and execute large gyro-orbits, density gradients in the flow can excite lower hybrid waves that then damp by heating electrons in the parallel direction. We give ...

The paper highlights the urgency of utilizing and promoting use of non conventional sources, particularly the wind and solar energy, so as to control the environmental pollution, such as ozone layer depletion, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, global warming etc. As a case study, the various performance factors of a 10 kW hybrid (wind and solar) power plant, which is having 60:40 power gener...

When wind or solar energy displace conventional generation, the reduction in emissions varies dramatically across the United States. Although the Southwest has the greatest solar resource, a solar panel in New Jersey displaces significantly more sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter than a panel in Arizona, resulting in 15 times more health and environmental benefits. A wind t...

Heavy ions in the solar wind are ideal for studying injection processes in the solar wind. We use composition data from Ulysses, ACE, and Wind to examine the properties of heavy ions from thermal energies to several 100 keVs. We show that these particles are observed to gain energy without any association with shocks. This paper provides a survey of recent observations of non-thermal properties...

Using data collected by the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft in 19801 and 1981. strong evidence is presented for a direct correlation between variations in the solar wind at Saturn and the level of activity of Saturn's nonthermal radio emission. Correlation coefficients of 57-58% are reached at lag times of U-1 days between the arrival at Saturn of high pressure solar wind streams and the onset of in...

Multi-scale structure of the solar wind in the ecliptic at 1 AU undergoes significant evolution with the phase of the solar cycle. Wind spacecraft measurements during 1995 to 1998 and ACE spacecraft measurements during 1997 to 2005 were used to characterise the evolution of small-scale (∼1 min to 2 h) fluctuations in the solar wind speed vsw, magnetic energy density B2, and solar wind ε paramet...

The majority of electricity and heat in Colorado comes from coal and natural gas; however, renewable energy sources will play an integral role in the state’s energy future. Colorado is the 11th windiest state and has more than 250 sunny days per year. The objectives of this research are to: 1) determine which landcover classes are affiliated with high wind and solar potential; and 2) identify a...

[1] Much attention has been focused on the reaction of the magnetosphere to the solar wind during the recent extended solar minimum (2006–2010). Although this period was exceptionally quiet when categorized by some parameters (e.g., the number of sunspots) the solar wind still contained features which impacted the Earth’s magnetosphere and caused geomagnetic disturbances. Recurrent corotating i...