Spacecraft reveal Alfvén waves accelerate solar wind speeds

A recent study reveals that Alfvén waves significantly accelerate solar wind, reaching speeds over 310 miles (500 kilometers) per second. Observations from NASA's Parker Solar Probe and ESA's Solar Orbiter in February 2022 showed a solar wind pocket traveling at 317 miles (510 km) per second, with energy from magnetic field reversals, or switchbacks, accounting for this acceleration. The findings were published in the journal Science on August 29.