Origin of Solar 'Static'

Abstract

RECENTLY, Martyn1 wrote : “It is natural first to seek an explanation [of the origin of solar static] in terms of the kind of electrical discharge which causes the familiar terrestrial radio noise, namely, lightning flashes ; but it is difficult, if not impossible, to see how such discharges could be produced in the always highly ionized solar envelope”. The explanation to which Martyn raises objection is, in fact, one which I have myself put forward recently2. His objection, however, does not arise on the general theory which I have advanced elsewhere3. Far from preventing the existence of electric fields at the sun's surface, the thermal conditions there are themselves the result of electrical discharges. These discharges occur in the radial electric field set up by the emission of highly charged atoms from nuclear reactions in the sun's interior.