Unveiling Solar Mysteries: Breakthrough Findings from Sun Probes

• Cosmos

The sun, the star around which our solar system revolves, continues to baffle scientists with its mysteries. Among them is the enigma of the sun’s corona, the halo surrounding the surface, which is 150 times hotter than the surface itself. Moreover, the acceleration of the solar wind - a stream of charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere - has long puzzled astrophysicists.

"The sun’s corona, the halo that surrounds the surface, burns at a temperature 150 times hotter than the surface itself, a puzzle that has confounded scientists. A recent collaborative study provides new insights into this mystery and the acceleration of the solar wind."

New Insights from Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe

Last year, the Solar Orbiter, a project of the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA's Parker Solar Probe joined forces to make the first joint measurements of the corona. The Solar Orbiter swooped in for a close-up from a distance of 140 million kilometers, using an instrument called Metis to take detailed photos of the corona. Simultaneously, NASA’s probe, which can survive inside the sun’s atmosphere, made measurements of its plasma and magnetic fields, allowing scientists to track energy and heat movement within the corona.

These coordinated observations have led to some breakthrough findings, with researchers determining that turbulence within the sun’s plasma contributes to the corona’s heat. However, the exact extent of this contribution remains unclear.

The Role of Solar Wind

The collaborative study also shed light on the acceleration of the solar wind, a phenomenon that has stymied astrophysicists. The solar wind made up of charged particles flying along the sun’s magnetic field lines, seems to be propelled into the solar system by small explosive jets at the base of the corona. The researchers believe that turbulence higher up in the corona also plays a part in accelerating the solar wind.

Understanding such phenomena is crucial as the sun's activity, particularly the formation of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can significantly impact Earth. This research is also essential for space agencies preparing to send astronauts to the moon and beyond the protective bubble of Earth’s magnetic field.

Future Plans and Collaborations

The ESA and NASA solar orbiters were launched a year apart, and making these tandem measurements required significant astronomical maneuvering. The teams are planning two more joint observational sessions, expected to yield additional data on the sun's atmospheric heating. After that, the Solar Orbiter will start examining the sun’s poles.

International teams of scientists have been sharing data from both probes, marking what is being referred to as a golden era for solar physics research. This collaborative effort extends beyond the Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe with the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on Maui and India’s Aditya-L1. This solar probe will study the sun’s magnetic fields and solar storms, contributing to the wealth of data.

This is a rare opportunity for solar scientists to create a detailed portrait of the sun - the only star in the universe that people can image in 3D. These combined efforts finally capture images and data that could unlock the sun's enigmas.