That surge of solar particles pointed more directly at Earth.

In a few seconds, a flare can also accelerate solar particles to nearly the speed of light.

They are also closely linked with the acceleration of solar energetic particles.

The mission is to end on Sept. 8, when the spacecraft releases a capsule containing the solar particles.

They suggested that these sounds come from the solar particles associated with creating the aurora.

These appear to be reacting with the solar particles, creating lethal secondary pollutants.

Inside the craft, which was half buried in the sand by the impact, some of the plates that had been collecting solar particles were shattered.

In fact, the astronauts' overall exposure was dominated by solar particles once outside the Earth's magnetic field.

Most of the solar particles are deflected to either side of the magnetopause.