Questions 5-8 refer to the following passage.

The author most likely discusses Kepler’s predictions in order to

a. Illustrate the observable effect solar winds have had on other celestial objects

b. Denounce Kepler’s work as unreliable because the technology required to study solar winds directly has only been developed within the last century

c. Describe more generally the first major contribution to the study of solar winds and the sun

d. Disprove Kepler’s theories on the motion of comets and auroras

e. Establish a standard against which to compare the observations concerning the atmospheres of Mars and Mercury

Transcribed Image Text:

"Solar wind" is the term scientists use to describe the stream of particles that the sun's corona constantly emits. These solar winds, Line which consist mainly of hydrogen and helium, are intensely hot, fully ionized plasma. Because of the corona's intense heat, these particles con- tinuously escape the sun's gravitational (5) attraction, flowing away from the sun at extreme velocities. Solar winds, though, are not without (10) variation, because they contain faster and slower moving pockets. For instance, solar winds that originate from streamers are slower moving winds at approximately 300 km/second, as opposed to the winds that originate from corona (15) holes and reach speeds of 800 km/second. As they flow away from the sun, tangential discon- tinuities and interplanetary shocks form, produc- ing pressure variations. Moreover, researchers also know that solar winds are directly related (20) to geomagnetic storms, auroras, and comets. It is these winds that cause comet tails to bend away from the sun, as Kepler accurately predicted in the early 1600s.