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.

MOVING BEYOND MATTER
by Debbie Hughes

Wind brings change.  Recently, I was talking with a relative who lives thousands of miles away from where I live.  She resides near the deserts of Arizona.  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.  

You know, change is seldom easy.  But it does seem to be a given in today's world. 

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 really 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 a 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.  We do them to make things better.  This may be beneficial for those we love, it may be more rewarding in some way.  Perhaps a change comes down to simply 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 things are often the result of internal processes that cause conviction of their truth to grow within us.  While this 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.