Moons of Saturn

<br />Solar radiation pressure is an order of magnitude stronger than solar wind. And it is a pure, continuous acceleration, so starting velocities are almost irrelevant. -|Tom|-

Jim, is that the rms velocity? If so, then it's just a kind of average, and there will be molecules moving both faster and slower than the rms velocity. Some of the ones that move faster can escape.

Hi Astro, Its the old bell curve that is being used to determine your statement that some hydrogen can excape and it is correct-I guess. The point I'm trying to make is TVF is assuming hydrogen excapes because it is a "light" gas. I thought about the bell curve during the framing of my question and it is good you brought it up-does it apply to other "heavy" gases and what about liquids and solids?

Actually the protons accelerate because there is a potential difference in voltage between the Sun and the edge of the Heliosphere. Just like
a plasma discharge tube.