Do charged particles from solar wind come closest to Earth at the equator?

Answer 1

No. Charged particles come closest to Earth at the poles. This is because the Earth's magnetosphere has magnetic field lines that are generated from and reenter the poles. As such, the area near the equator is most protected by the magnetosphere, as it extends outward from the poles, surrounding the Earth. And the magnetosphere is weakest at the points of intersection at the poles. When charged particles are deflected by the magnetosphere, they follow these magnetic field lines, and reenter our atmosphere at the poles. High-energy radiation generated by these charged particles interacting with gases in the atmosphere is the reason for the auroras (Northern and Southern lights). This is why, subsequent to a solar flare that sends a strong wind of particles toward the Earth, you are likely to see more intense auroras.

Because of the nature of fusion (which makes the sun what it is, as an active star), the most common particles composing the solar wind are: neutrinos (neutral particles, very small masses), electrons (negatively charged, often easily deflected by the magnetosphere), and protons (positively charged, the largest danger to us from the solar wind, because they counter the charge of the magnetosphere and reenter our atmosphere most easily).