Indian Astronomers Discover Miniature Plasma Loops in Sun's Corona
Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have uncovered tiny plasma loops in the Sun's outer layer, shedding light on how magnetic energy is stored and unleashed. These miniature loops, only a few thousand kilometers long but less than 100 kilometers wide, provide new insights into solar dynamics. Using high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy, researchers were able to observe these short-lived structures that play a crucial role in understanding the Sun's behavior.
New Delhi: Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have discovered hidden miniature plasma loops in the Sun's outer layer that may reveal secrets about how the Sun stores and releases magnetic energy. These small and short-lived loops, about 3,000-4,000 kilometers long but less than 100 kilometers wide, have been difficult to study as they stay hidden in the lower layers of the Sun's atmosphere. To observe them, researchers at IIA used high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy.
These miniature loops, lasting only a few minutes, provide insights into the Sun's magnetic energy storage and release mechanisms on small scales. The team combined data from various telescopes to study these loops across different wavelengths, revealing their behavior across the Sun's atmosphere layers. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, showed that these loops reach plasma temperatures of several million degrees.
The team also used Differential Emission Measure analysis to understand the plasma temperature inside these loops. The upcoming National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) near Pangong Lake in Ladakh is expected to provide further insights into these small-scale solar features. (Source: sentinelassam.com)
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