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The sun radiates a lot of charged particles to the Earth. When the magnetic field of the Earth lines up to the poles, we get the beautiful polar lights.

But are there as many negative charged as positive charged particles or vice versa, such that the Earth gets charged by the Sun?

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  • $\begingroup$ You will want to change "polar lights" in the title to "aurorae". $\endgroup$ – Spencer Jan 13 '17 at 0:15
  • $\begingroup$ Seems like there are two questions here... $\endgroup$ – wogsland Jan 26 '17 at 17:55
  • $\begingroup$ I think this is the wrong question to ask. Instead, maybe we could ask if the Earth receives a net charge differential between the poles -- do positively-charged particles prefer one pole and negatively charged poles the other? $\endgroup$ – Spencer Feb 10 at 16:01
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No. If that were the case, the Sun would eventually develop a net charge. Let's imagine that's the case and the Sun develops a net positive charge. That charge would eventually stop negative particles from flying away and facilitate the ejection of positive ones. This regime would then restore the neutral charge of the Sun. This negative feedback makes sure the Sun remains neutral and that Solar winds carry no net charge.

See this Q&A for more details:Does the solar wind correspond to a net electrical current?

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