- Scientists have shared new details of the Sun’s structure captured by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.
- The researchers say that the spiral-like appearance is driven by “vortex” activity, which is associated with Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the Sun’s atmosphere.
- The results were published in Nature; the materials also describe how the relationship between the Sun’s atmosphere and coronal mass ejection could be linked to the same mechanism.
Scientists have produced new images showing the Sun’s structure in unprecedented detail thanks to the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, according to BBC News, AP and The Guardian.
In the publication’s findings, the “vortex” activity appears to be able to explain why the Sun’s atmosphere is so hot. The researchers also say that the process could help explain why the Sun’s atmosphere contains a single, continuous flow of energy, which may form into complex structures.
BBC News notes that the results were published in the journal Nature. The publication says that the term used to describe the phenomenon — Kelvin-Helmholtz instability — describes a process, similar to how air currents form cloud bands, while the instability in the Sun’s atmosphere is linked to spiral-like structures.
As the materials explain, it is possible to detect the mechanism of energy transport in the Sun’s atmosphere. The BBC News also says that the process could help explain why the Sun’s atmosphere is heated to high temperatures.
AP adds that the images show the Sun’s atmosphere in unprecedented detail and that the telescope’s observations could help scientists better understand how solar activity affects space weather. The material also notes that the findings may be important for understanding how coronal mass ejections are formed.
The Guardian says that the telescope’s observations revealed a structure resembling 20km (12 miles) wide threads. The publication also notes that the images may help scientists understand why the Sun’s magnetic field changes and how energy is transferred within the Sun.
According to BBC News and AP, the research could also improve forecasts of space weather on Earth: solar storms can disrupt radio communications, damage power grids, and affect GPS signals. If so, the researchers say, understanding coronal mass ejections could help protect Earth.