Scientists have better understood the magnetic field in the Sun’s upper atmosphere thanks to 114 new maps.
Scientists have created the most accurate and consistent map yet of the magnetic field in the Sun’s corona, the incredibly hot upper part of our star’s atmosphere. Magnetic fields play an important role in heating the corona, which is hundreds of times hotter than the solar surface and reaches millions of degrees Celsius. The Sun’s corona also determines space weather in the Solar System. The results of the study were published in the journal Science, IFLScience reported.
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Scientists were making almost daily measurements of the Sun’s corona magnetic field, which had previously been observed sporadically. The findings provide valuable insight into the processes that drive solar storms that impact technology on Earth.
The sun’s magnetic field is the main cause of solar storms, which can pose a threat to power grids, communications systems and space technology. But the ability to understand how the magnetic field stores energy and produces coronal mass ejections has been limited by the problem of observing this in the Sun’s corona.
The Daniel Inouye Solar Telescope can measure the magnetic field of the Sun’s corona in three dimensions and in great detail, but it cannot map the entire Sun at once. But he did it with the help of a tool called the Advanced Coronal Multichannel Polarimeter. Scientists have compiled 114 maps taken over eight months, almost one a day, that show a revolution in observations of our star. Astronomers now have a consistent and comprehensive understanding of the magnetic field of the Sun’s corona, which is only visible during solar eclipses.
Global mapping of the solar corona’s magnetic field is a major missing piece in studies of our star, scientists say. This research helps scientists fill an important gap in our understanding of the coronal magnetic field, the energy source of solar storms that impact Earth.
Regular measurements of the coronal magnetic field mark the beginning of a new era in solar observations. Scientists say this will lead to a better understanding of the Sun and better protection from the space weather our star affects.
The authors of the study explain that since the magnetic field of the Sun’s corona is the force that causes coronal mass to fly across the Solar System, this field needs to be observed more carefully and regularly.
Scientists say their scientific achievement represents a major step forward in the ability to understand how the Sun’s global coronal magnetic field changes from day to day. This is critical to the ability to better predict solar storms.
As I already wrote FocusScientists warn that a major disaster in orbit is inevitable due to space debris. Numerous space debris, as well as missile rocket parts abandoned in orbit, pose a major threat to manned and robotic missions in space.
As for the Sun, as I wrote before, the second strongest geomagnetic storm is expected due to the next strongest coronal mass ejection on Earth according to the five-point scale. Focus.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.