Earnshaw Medal
Earnshaw 2009 Nominees: Ciarán Kenny, UCD
The Physics of the Solar Wind
This project theorizes linear models for the solar wind. It begins with a brief outline on the history of the solar wind: its discovery and composition, among other characteristics. Chapman’s model is then introduced, which assumes there is no solar wind, leading to a contradiction. Parker’s model, the first accepted model for the solar wind, is then described, resulting in a velocity profile for the solar outflow. This model is then improved on with the Weber and Davis model, which takes into account the sun’s rotation and magnetic field. Magnetic flux freezing, the concept of magnetic field being “frozen in” to the plasma, is also discussed. Finally, a simple program is created to plot the velocity profile as described by Parker’s model.
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