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Alfvén waves

Alfvén waves are a type of magnetohydrodynamic wave that occurs in plasmas, like those found in the sun and other stars, as well as in Earth's magnetosphere. Named after physicist Hannes Alfvén, these waves involve oscillations of charged particles and magnetic fields. When plasma flows through a magnetic field, it can create waves that move through the plasma. These waves are important for understanding solar activity and space weather, as they can influence the dynamics of the solar wind, contribute to the heating of the corona, and affect satellites and technology on Earth.

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    Alfvén waves are a type of electromagnetic wave that occur in plasmas, which are ionized gases found in stars, including our Sun. Named after physicist Hannes Alfvén, these waves arise when charged particles, like ions and electrons, move together under the influence of magnetic fields. They can transmit energy and information across vast distances in space. Alfvén waves play a crucial role in astrophysics, especially in understanding solar activity and how energy is transported within the Sun and into the solar wind, affecting space weather that can impact Earth.