One early explanation was that in the middle layer (the chromosphere) magnetic waves exhibit strength
Now the researchers have combined the observationstelescope in New Mexico, USA, with satellites to identify the relationship between magnetic waves in the chromosphere and regions of high ionized particle counts in hot springs in the outer atmosphere.
Different chemical composition of internal andthe outer layers of the sun was first seen over 50 years ago. The difference in composition is surprising, given that the layers are physically connected and that corona matter comes from the innermost layer, the photosphere.
Thanks to a unique combination of ground andspace observations of the solar atmosphere, carried out almost simultaneously, made it possible to finally detect magnetic waves in the chromosphere and associate them with an abundance of elements in the corona that are not found in the inner regions of the sun.
“Identification of processes that formcorona, is critical as we try to better understand the solar wind, a stream of charged particles coming from the Sun that can disrupt and damage satellites and infrastructure on Earth. Our new discoveries will help us analyze the solar wind and trace it back to where it originates in the Sun's atmosphere."
Dr Deborah Baker (UCL Space & Climate Physics)
The existence of magnetic waves - oscillations of ions,moving in a specific direction - was first theorized in 1942 and is believed to be caused by millions of nanoflares, or mini-explosions, occurring in the corona every second.
The research team traced the directionwaves, simulating a range of magnetic fields, and found that waves reflected in the chromosphere appear to be magnetically coupled to regions of large ionized particles in the corona.
"The difference in chemical composition betweeninner layer, photosphere and corona - this is a feature not only of our own Sun, but also of stars throughout the Universe. Thus, by observing our local laboratory—the Sun—we can improve our understanding of the Universe far beyond.”
Dr. Marco Stangalini, Italian Space Agency and National Institute of Astrophysics in Rome
Researchers say their results createa basis for future research using data from Solar Orbiter, the European Space Agency's mission to capture close-up images of the Sun.
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