Windy Days in Space
Many people think interplanetary space is empty. It is, in fact, filled with cosmic rays, dust, and solar wind. Cosmic rays are high speed sub-atomic particles. Interplanetary dust consists of debris scattered by comets, and powder from asteroid and meteoroid collisions. In addition, there is the solar wind, which is made up of charged sub-atomic particles, mostly protons and electrons emitted by the sun.
The particles of the solar wind behave as if they were sliding along the lines of the sun’s magnetic field, like beads sliding along a wire. As the solar wind blows by each planet, it distorts its planetary magnetic field, just like water is disturbed by the bow of a boat.
The solar wind increases during eruptive bursts of solar flares. This is why scientists directing the space shuttle program observe the sun carefully, in order to avoid potential damage from excessive solar particles. The solar wind from flares in the sun penetrates the Earth's
atmosphere around the magnetic poles, often reacting with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in our atmosphere. This creates the colourful shimmering Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights at the corresponding pole.
So next time it’s windy on Earth, remember there are also windy days in space.
Wind brings change. Recently, I was talking with a relative who lives thousands of miles away. She resides near the deserts of Arizona, a place I have never visited. We were discussing the hot, sunny weather they routinely experience there. She commented to me that since it is seldom windy there, they do not experience changing weather patterns. They seldom see storm clouds or encounter the turbulent conditions which often accompany change.
Often we refer to the winds of change when referring to new movements in society. There is an understanding that the present conditions are on their way out and a new pattern and new circumstances are sweeping in. Sometimes this transition is even marked by clouds and turbulence in the social and political atmosphere.
Change is seldom easy. But it does seem to be a given in today’s world. Of course there have always been changing features of life on Earth, but today these changes come in greater numbers and with greater speed than in previous eras. And during the past few hundred years, we have linked the concept of change with the idea of progress - a notion apparently now in decline.
Change occurs on a variety of levels - political, social, economic, global, familial and personal. Much that changes outside our individual sphere still manages to impinge upon us. A drought in a grain growing region, the fluctuations of our national currency, government policy, the closing of a large industry in town - all these will cause ripples in society. We may be rocked by the waves or merely experience some minor and manageable wobbles.
In all this we are called upon to respond. Some folk resist change and fight against it. Others will embrace it. Still others will find ways to adapt to the change and regain some sense of equilibrium in their life. Few of us like change. Some need change. Many will be affected by change which is now as inevitable as death and taxes.
Changes often happen to us. Circumstances change. Health changes. Other people’s decisions have direct impact on our lives.
Yet sometimes we choose change. When this happens, we anticipate that these choices will somehow improve our lot in life. This may be beneficial for those we love, it may be more rewarding in some way, it may be correspond more closely to the values we cherish. Perhaps a change comes down to choosing to do the right thing.
Changes that occur on the level of our spiritual orientation have a significant impact on us. They affect our beliefs and values, our relationships and our vision. These changes are often the result of internal processes that cause conviction of their truth to grow within us. While the process of getting to spiritual change is usually uncomfortable, marked benefits are associated with the experience. Spiritual change is an important aspect of our growth as persons.
David Humphreys and Debbie Hughes
© August 2004
