Hawaii, October 31 (Udaipur Kiran) — After decades of puzzling over one of astronomy’s biggest mysteries — why the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) burns millions of degrees hotter than its visible surface — scientists may finally have the answer. Using the world’s most powerful solar telescope, researchers have detected magnetic waves that could explain how energy travels from the Sun’s surface into its blistering atmosphere.
The discovery, published in Nature Astronomy, was made using the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii. The telescope’s high-resolution imaging allowed scientists to observe elusive Alfvén waves — oscillations in the Sun’s magnetic field that transport vast amounts of energy upward.
“Waves like these could explain up to half of the corona’s extreme heat,” said Dr. Richard Morton, solar physicist at Northumbria University, who led the research. “The twisting magnetic patterns we observed show that these waves are not just present, but also powerful enough to heat the solar atmosphere significantly.”
A Long-Standing Solar Mystery
The Sun’s surface, or photosphere, has a temperature of around 5,500°C, but its outer atmosphere — the corona — can reach millions of degrees Celsius. This temperature difference has long baffled scientists, as logic suggests the Sun’s outer layers should be cooler than its surface.
Magnetic waves were first proposed as a possible explanation in 1942, but had never been directly observed in detail — until now. Using DKIST’s Cryogenic Near Infrared Spectropolarimeter, researchers were able to capture twisting, wave-like motions in the Sun’s magnetic field, confirming their long-theorized role in heating the corona.
How the Sun Heats Itself
The study suggests that magnetic reconnection — where magnetic field lines snap and reconnect — works together with Alfvén waves to heat the Sun’s atmosphere. Wave-mode heating, the team found, could account for roughly half of the energy required to explain the corona’s extreme temperatures.
Broader Implications
These findings not only solve a long-standing solar enigma but could also enhance our understanding of space weather, which affects satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth. Moreover, the research provides new insights into energy production in other stars, helping astronomers better understand the physics governing stellar atmospheres across the universe.
“This is a breakthrough in solar physics,” Morton said. “We’re finally seeing the Sun’s energy transfer mechanisms in action — a key step toward predicting how our star influences the wider cosmic environment.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
