Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How fast does the solar wind travel near Earth?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Sun
Joshua trees at sunset, Joshua Tree National Park, southern California, U.S.
At a distance of one astronomical unit (the mean distance between Earth and the Sun), the solar wind typically travels at velocities of 350 to 700 kilometers (about 220 to 440 miles) per second during relatively quiet periods.1
There are two distinct types of solar wind that contribute to these observed speeds:
* Fast solar wind: A uniform and steady stream that blows at approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) per second.12
* Slow solar wind: A gusty and sporadic stream that travels at about half the speed of the fast wind.12
During solar flares, these velocities, along with particle flux and plasma temperature, can increase substantially.1