The Electric Fields and "Lightning Jets" of the Sun and Solar Wind

Abstract

A model of electric energization of the Solar Wind and Corona is developed, including electro-magnetic (EM) particle effects precluded by traditional magneto-hydro (MHD) assumptions. Using standard 1-D radial Solar models for particle density and temperature, the Core gravito-electric field is calculated; and the range of possible Photospheric photoelectric fields is estimated. The extant DC field apparently arises from about 460.Coulombs of charge displacement, mainly caused by the immense Solar energy flux pushing electrons outward. Energetically, this electric field can accelerate surface protons out of the 2.keV gravity well and up to the 4. keV energies observed in the Fast Solar Wind. The electrical energy is released in pervasive, persistent "proton lightning jets", which are proton beams, charge-neutralized by co-propagating electrons. The jets are formed by pinched "avalanche breakdown" of the weakly ionized Photosphere, probably initiated on the down-welling edges of Solar surface granulations. These energetic jets will glow as discrete filamentary surface spicules, and will be observed in reflect solar light as the diffuse K-Corona. Significantly, the total charge displacement and observed Fast Wind Speed (FWS) are quantitatively predicted by a novel "virial limit": the (positive) electrical potential energy at r=0 is limited in magnitude to the 10.keV gravitational well at r=0.