The Electric Field of the Sun and Solar Wind

A simple model of solar electric fields explains the solar wind energetics and chromospheric heating, invoking only gravitational settling and photon scattering. In the (collisional) solar interior, gravity necessarily generates a radial electric field eE~ -½ m_p g; protons are 50% levitated, with eE(R_s)~ 1.4eV/Mm from displaced charge Q(R_s)~ -75.Coul. In the (weakly collisional) outer photosphere/chromosphere, electron scattering of the photon flux Γ_E gives eE = (Γ_E/c) σ_γe. An (averged) eE~ (4.eV/Mm) (r/R_s)^-2 from photon-electron cross-section σ_γe~ 3x10^-24m² ≤ 10^-3 σ(H-) can generate the observed solar wind: protons are accelerated out of the 2.keV gravity well and up to 1.3keV kinetic energy within several R_s, with total particle energy flux ~10^-6 Γ_E. This coherent proton/electron "flow-sheath" is the K-Corona, obviating the T~100eV hydrostatic model (Van deHulst, 1950). Filamentation (~1.Mm)² of the flow arises from the convection/recombination ("roiling") dynamics of surface granulations, with local electric fields generating strong currents and local magnetic fields. Statistical charge fluctuations, current filamentation, and neutral gas drag on the distant proton/electron flows produce the pervasive fluctuating magnetic fields observed by spacecraft.