New telescope images deliver sharpest-ever view of powerful solar flare
Astronomers have zoomed in small plasma loops in a powerful solar rocket for the first time, potentially revealing the fundamental constituent elements of the sunviolent storms.
Images, captured with the new Daniel K. Inouye solar telescope In Hawaii, arches of hot gas reveal only 10 to 30 miles wide which follow the magnetic fields of the sun. The previous instruments could only resolve curls 60 to 100 miles wide. Inouye images are more than 2.5 times clearer.
Scientists believe that these so -called “coronal curls” can actually be the most basic pieces of solar eruptions – sudden energy explosions that launch a torrent of radiation in radiation in space and towards the earth.
The discovery gives a new window on how our host star makes lighting rockets in the first place. Gathering such insight can lead to better spatial weather Forecasts, perhaps preventing future solar storms from wreaking havoc on satellites, electrical networks and radio signals.
“Knowing a telescope can theoretically do something is one thing,” said Maria Kazhenko, co-author of the study, in a declaration. “In fact, watching him play at this limit is exhilarating.”
The mysterious spatial radio signals were finally followed at their source
The solar observatory is at the top of a sleeping volcano, HaleakalāDominating Maui at 10,000 feet above sea level. Rightly, the name Laakalā means “Maison du Soleil” in Hawaiian. But that is not why the site was selected for the telescope. The summit has special environmental conditions that allow astronomers to better see the sun crown,, The outer layer of its atmosphere.
For studypublished in Astrophysical newspaper lettersThe team measured 686 loops. They found the widths of the loops tended to be similar in thickness, rather than a random mixture. This suggests that the telescope could finally see the smallest parts of a solar push.
Mashable lighting speed
LEFT:
This view of the solar thrust is about four wide lands, with shiny marking areas where the energy is released and arched loops retracing the magnetic field of the sun above them.
Credit: NSF / NSO / Aura
RIGHT:
The same image with annotations.
Credit: NSF / NSO / Aura
Taken in August 2024 during a Class flare XThe images show dark and thread -shaped arches rising on brilliant peel ribbons.
Scientists have long believed that solar eruptions are made up of many small magnetic loops. But so far, these curls were impossible to see. Researchers could only theorize that they existed.
If the team has indeed found the fundamental components of a solar rocket – and not only larger loops of loops – it is a breakthrough for forecasters of solar storms, said Cole Tamburri, the main author of the newspaper. Data that may come from more detail studies could improve IT models to predict space weather.
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“It’s like going from a forest to suddenly see each tree,” said Tamburri.
Just as the earth has seasons, the sun passes an 11 -year activity cycle. He is the quietest at the beginning and at the end of the cycle, but in the middle, he pushes powerful turbulent, unleashing eruptions.
This peak came, with the solar activity striking its maximum Around October 2024. Consequently, solar eruptions, as well as massive plasma explosions crownmade the headlines more frequently.
Even at 93 million kilometers, the explosions of the sun can affect the earth and the rest of the solar system. The atmosphere of the planet and the magnetic field protect people from The worst radiationBut these events can still have catastrophic consequences for life on earth, interfering with telecommunications, navigation systems and other critical technologies.
Such events are rare but memorable. In March 1989, for example, A major push Even eliminated across Quebec, Canada, for 12 hours and even disturbed radio free Europe shows.
