Advanced Composition Explorer Measuring the Solar Wind and Solar Flares Oscar Puente Mentor: Dr. Paul Marchese

Research Findings The solar wind contains more low energy particles than it does those of higher energies The solar wind contains more low energy particles than it does those of higher energies These particles can escape the sun’s gravity more easily These particles can escape the sun’s gravity more easily They require less energy to be excited and shot away from the sun They require less energy to be excited and shot away from the sun Electrons are more abundant in the solar wind than protons, and they travel more quickly Electrons are more abundant in the solar wind than protons, and they travel more quickly Electrons weigh less than protons and therefore require less energy to enter the solar wind Electrons weigh less than protons and therefore require less energy to enter the solar wind Elements of higher weights (He, O, Fe) are only present in the solar wind during times of great solar activity Elements of higher weights (He, O, Fe) are only present in the solar wind during times of great solar activity They weigh more than H+ ions and electrons They weigh more than H+ ions and electrons

Future Work Compare solar wind data from ACE to magnestosphere/ionoshphre data from the Earth Compare solar wind data from ACE to magnestosphere/ionoshphre data from the Earth Find out how the solar wind affects the earth’s magnetic fields Find out how the solar wind affects the earth’s magnetic fields Find predictable patterns in changes caused by the solar wind Find predictable patterns in changes caused by the solar wind