On the existence of non-Maxwellian velocity distribution functions in the corona and their consequences for the Solar Wind acceleration

Milan Maksimovic

Non-thermal electron and ion velocity distribution function are permanently observed in the solar wind. The exact origins of such departures from equilibrium Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions remain unclear. It is however believed that the rarity of Coulomb collisions in most of the extended corona and solar wind plays a crucial role in the mechanisms which produce and/or maintain such distributions.

We will summarize the various observations of those distributions and discuss about their possible coronal origin and role in the Solar Wind acceleration processes.