The idea for the polar wind originated with the desire to solve the paradox of the terrestrial helium budget. This paradox consists of the fact that helium in the Earth's atmosphere seems to be produced (via radioactive decay of uranium and thorium) faster than it is lost by escaping from the upper atmosphere.
The concept of polar wind originated from the need to resolve the enigma of the terrestrial helium budget. This paradox revolves around the fact that helium in the Earth's atmosphere appears to be generated (through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium) at a faster rate than it is lost by escaping from the upper atmosphere.