The Sun, a celestial phenomenon that has captivated humanity for centuries, has been unveiled in a whole new light through a captivating video captured by ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission. In this single frame, the Sun appears fluffy, showcasing feathery, hair-like structures made of plasma that follow magnetic field lines in the Sun’s lower atmosphere as it transitions into the hotter outer corona.
ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission, armed with its Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) instrument, recorded this mesmerizing video on September 27, 2023, providing astronomers with unprecedented insights into our star. The video reveals unusual features on the Sun, including coronal moss, spicules, and coronal rain, shedding light on the dynamic processes that shape the Sun’s atmosphere.
Coronal moss, a peculiar structure on the Sun that gives it a fluffy appearance, resembles the fine, lacy features of moss found on Earth. Typically found around the center of sunspot groups, coronal moss spans the chromosphere and corona, existing in regions with strong magnetic fields and large coronal loops.
Spicules, tall spires of gas that reach up from the Sun’s chromosphere, are another intriguing feature showcased in the video. These towering structures, reaching heights of up to 10,000 km, add to the intricate tapestry of the Sun’s atmosphere, offering astronomers valuable insights into its dynamic behavior.
At around 0:30 in the video, viewers can witness coronal rain, cooler material compared to the surrounding solar surface, falling back towards the Sun under the influence of gravity. These clumps of higher-density plasma provide a stark contrast to the scorching temperatures of the coronal loops, offering a glimpse into the complex interplay of forces within the Sun.
Unprecedented Views and Scientific Discoveries
Missions like Solar Orbiter, the Parker Solar Probe, and the Solar Dynamics Observatory are revolutionizing our understanding of the Sun, providing scientists with unparalleled views of our star. By delving into the mysteries of the Sun’s atmosphere, these missions are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and advancing our knowledge of the pivotal role the Sun plays in powering our entire Solar System.
The mesmerizing video captured by ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission offers a glimpse into the intricate and dynamic nature of the Sun, unveiling a world of mystery and wonder that continues to inspire astronomers and scientists around the globe. As we unravel the secrets of our star, we move one step closer to unlocking the profound mysteries of the universe.
Leave a Reply