Magnetic waves make the Sun’s crown chemically different from the other layers of the star

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The Sun’s corona – the outermost layer that can reach temperatures above one million degrees Celsius – is chemically very different from the rest of the star, despite being physically connected.

Astronomers have failed to explain and demonstrate this phenomenon for more than half a century, making it one of the enduring enigmas of astronomy.

Now, researchers have found the first observational evidence that magnetic waves in the chromosphere – the middle layer of the Sun – split the plasma, forcing only charged ions into the corona and leaving neutral particles behind.

A paper published today by astronomers at University College London and the Italian Space Agency provides the first evidence ever to support this long-standing theory.

Researchers have found the first observational evidence that magnetic waves in the chromosphere - the Sun's middle layer - split plasma, forcing only charged ions into the corona and leaving neutral particles behind.

Researchers have found the first observational evidence that magnetic waves in the chromosphere – the Sun’s middle layer – split plasma, forcing only charged ions into the corona and leaving neutral particles behind.

The researchers analyzed data from telescopes in New Mexico, as well as from space, to simultaneously observe the same part of the Sun in an attempt to find the waves.

The observed patterns were recreated using computer modeling, and the scientists found that the waves reflected in the chromosphere were magnetically bound to areas of abundant ionized particles in the corona.

“These results indicate a link between the chromosphere activity of sunspots and observable changes in coronal plasma composition,” the researchers wrote in their study, published today in The Astrophysical Journal.

The theory of magnetic waves splitting plasma and forcing ions in the corona was first postulated in the 1960s.

What causes the waves remains unknown, but scientists believe they are generated in the volatile crown of millions of mini-explosions, known as nanoflars.

Dr. Deborah Baker, lead author of the study, told MailOnline: “The various chemical compositions of the inner and outer layers of the Sun were first observed more than 50 years ago.

“This discovery has generated one of the long-open questions in astrophysics.

“The difference in composition is surprising, given that the layers are physically connected and that the matter in the crown comes from the innermost layer, the photosphere.

“Now, thanks to a unique combination of solar, ground-based and space atmospheric observations, performed almost simultaneously, it has been possible to definitively detect magnetic waves in the chromosphere and connect them to an abundance of corona elements not found in the interior regions of The sun. ‘

Dr. Marco Stangalini of the Italian Space Agency in Rome says the discoveries are valid for other stars as well as for the Sun.

“By observing our local laboratory, the Sun, we can improve our understanding of the Universe far beyond it,” he says.

The theory of magnetic waves splitting plasma and forcing ions in the corona was first postulated in the 1960s. What causes waves remains unknown, but scientists believe they are generated in the volatile corona by millions of mini-explosions, known as nanoflari. In the picture, the surface of the Sun.

The theory of magnetic waves splitting plasma and forcing ions to the corona was first postulated in the 1960s. What causes waves remains unknown, but scientists believe they are generated in the volatile corona by millions of mini-explosions, known as nanoflari. In the picture, the surface of the Sun.

Astronomers are now more interested in the Sun’s corona than ever before because of its role in creating the solar wind.

The solar wind, which carries ions 92 million miles from the Sun to Earth, creates northern and southern lights.

As these charged particles reach the Earth’s magnetic field, which is the strongest at the poles, they release energy and this manifests as the fascinating celestial light shows that we see the Earth, visible at high and low latitudes.

However, when the constant flow of charged particles turns into a flood after a violent rocket on the surface of the Sun, this can have an impact on delicate electrical systems and satellite-dependent industries.

“Identifying the processes that shape the corona is crucial because we are trying to better understand the solar wind, a flow of charged particles flowing from the Sun, which can disrupt and damage satellites and infrastructure on Earth,” says Dr. Baker.

“Our new discoveries will help us analyze the solar wind and track it back to where it came from in the Sun’s atmosphere.”

“Campfires” on the Sun: Solar Orbiter captures “closest images ever” of the sun from 47 million miles away

The European Space Agency Solar Orbiter, built in the UK, captured the closest images ever taken by the Sun and did so as it flew between the orbits of Venus and Mercury, according to the UK Space Agency.

The stunning images taken by Solar Orbiter while 47 million miles away from the surface of our host star include signs of mini-solar missiles that have been called “campfires” by the scientists behind the probe.

Solar flames are short eruptions of high-energy radiation from the Sun’s surface, and these “campfires” are millions of times smaller than normal star flames.

The images were captured in mid-June, while Solar Orbiter was still in the testing phase, so the team says the images will become higher resolution as the probe approaches the Sun.

Closest to our star, Solar Orbiter will be 26 million miles from the Sun’s surface – closer to the 37 million miles of Mercury from the Sun and will reach it by the end of future.

The most important discovery was the presence of these “campfires”, also known as “nano-flares”, which were seen dotted on the surface of the Sun, astronomers explained – they are bright and dynamic eruptions.

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