Solar Physics
Articles tagged with Solar Physics
LMU researchers improve perovskite solar cells with molecular interface tweak
Researchers at LMU Munich develop a surface treatment method to optimize the molecular contact in perovskite solar cells, resulting in improved efficiency, reproducibility, and stability. The approach provides a scalable solution for industry-compatible fabrication workflows.
Solar prominences: supply mechanisms in the Sun’s corona
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research investigated how solar prominences form and what secrets their longevity holds. They found that multiple processes create a balance between material loss and supply, driven by magnetic fields and temperature gradients in the Sun's atmosphere.
Japan delivers its sharpest X-ray telescope for the FOXSI mission, a US-Japan rocket program to observe the sun
Scientists in Japan developed a high-resolution X-ray telescope using precision mirror-making technology, capable of distinguishing objects 3.5 mm wide from 1 km away. The telescope was tested on the ground using a unique evaluation system before launch on the FOXSI sounding rocket mission.
SwRI-led research indicates a more complex Sun’s magnetic engine
A Southwest Research Institute-led study finds protons and heavy ions react differently to solar magnetic reconnection events, revealing a more complex magnetic engine. This new data contradicts current models, showing protons generate waves that scatter them more efficiently.
NJIT physicists trace sun’s magnetic engine, 200,000 kilometers below surface
Researchers at NJIT analyzed nearly three decades of solar oscillation data to trace the Sun's magnetic engine, revealing a butterfly-shaped flow pattern in the deep solar interior. The findings point to the likely location of the star's magnetic engine deep beneath its surface, roughly 200,000 kilometers down.
New research takes first step toward advance warnings of space weather
A new tool developed by Southwest Research Institute and National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance. The PINNBARDS framework connects surface observations of solar active regions to deep solar magnetic dynamics, offering potential for su...
Caught in the act: Astronomers watch a vanishing star turn into a black hole
Researchers discovered a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that vanished without going supernova, instead collapsing directly into a black hole. The team's analysis revealed the process of stellar collapse and provided evidence for convection's role in shaping a black hole's outer layers.
SwRI appoints Fuselier vice president of Space Science Division
Dr. Stephen Fuselier, a renowned heliophysicist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, has been appointed vice president of SwRI's Space Science Division. He brings over four decades of experience in space science to lead the division.
Kissing the sun: Unraveling mysteries of the solar wind
A University of Arizona-led research team has measured the dynamics and ever-changing hot gas shell from where the solar wind originates. The study helps scientists answer fundamental questions about energy and matter moving through the heliosphere, affecting space weather events and planetary orbits.
The path to solar weather forecasts
Scientists used multiple space-based instruments to track the evolution of a solar eruption, observing how it reduced background cosmic-ray activity. This approach has potential for improving space-weather forecasting and protecting satellites, astronauts, and power grids.
Novel SwRI-developed IMAP instrument delivers first-light data
The CoDICE instrument has successfully collected first-light data from IMAP, measuring energized particles from interstellar space, the solar wind, and solar energetic particles. This will provide a better understanding of our place in the universe by studying the interaction between the interstellar medium and the solar wind.
SwRI-led PUNCH mission producing unprecedented images of Sun
The PUNCH mission has made significant advancements in imaging the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind. The spacecraft has tracked enormous coronal mass ejections, providing a unique view of space weather events and their impact on our planet.
SwRI-led study provides insight into oscillations in solar flares
A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.
Discovery of elusive solar waves that could power the Sun's corona
Scientists have discovered small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun's corona, which are magnetic disturbances that can carry energy through plasma. These waves could power the Sun's outer atmosphere, reaching temperatures of millions of degrees.
SwRI managed the IMAP payload set to launch this month to map the boundary of the heliosphere
The NASA IMAP mission aims to explore the boundary of the heliosphere, where solar material collides with interstellar space. The SwRI-developed CoDICE sensor will measure the distribution and composition of interstellar pickup ions.
Solar Orbiter traces superfast electrons back to Sun
The European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has split energetic particles into two groups, tracing them back to distinct solar outbursts. Researchers found that one type of particle is connected to intense solar flares and the other to larger coronal mass ejections.
The NSF Inouye Solar Telescope delivers record-breaking images of solar flare, coronal loops
Astronomers captured dark coronal loop strands with unprecedented clarity during an X1.3-class flare, measuring 48.2 km in width, the smallest ever imaged. The team's high-resolution images offer a potential breakthrough in resolving the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops and improving space weather forecasting.
TRACERS mission prepares for launch
The TRACERS mission will explore dynamic interactions between the Sun's and Earth's magnetic fields. By observing particles and fields in the northern magnetic cusp region, researchers can study how magnetic reconnection affects the space environment.
NASA to launch SNIFS, Sun’s next trailblazing spectator
The Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) mission will study the energy dynamics of the Sun's chromosphere, a complex region that powers solar flares. By analyzing spectral lines, scientists hope to better understand how energy moves through the chromosphere and improve space weather forecasting.
Artificial solar eclipses in space could shed light on Sun
A UK-led mission plans to recreate artificial solar eclipses in space to study the Sun's atmosphere and shed light on space weather. The MESOM mission would use a mini-satellite and the Moon's shadow to capture unprecedented views of the Sun's corona.
Novel SwRI-developed instrument delivered for NASA’s IMAP mission
The CoDICE instrument will measure energized interstellar and solar particles to better understand the boundary of the heliosphere. The instrument will also characterize solar wind ions and the mass and composition of highly energized solar particles associated with flares and coronal mass ejections.
NASA’s CODEX captures unique views of Sun’s outer atmosphere
CODEX observes high-energy particles and radiation from the Sun's corona, providing unprecedented data on solar activity. The findings reveal a complex interplay between magnetic fields and particle acceleration.
SwRI-led PUNCH mission images huge solar eruption
The PUNCH mission has successfully imaged a huge solar eruption, providing unprecedented views of coronal mass ejections and the solar wind. The spacecraft constellation is enabling scientists to better understand and predict space weather events that can disrupt communications and endanger satellites.
Magnetic curtains on the sun: NSF Inouye Solar Telescope reveals ultra-fine striations in solar surface
Scientists have observed ultra-narrow bright and dark stripes on the solar photosphere, offering unprecedented insight into how magnetic fields shape solar surface dynamics. These striations are linked to magnetic fluctuations that alter plasma density and opacity.
SwRI-led research finds particles energized by magnetic reconnection in the nascent solar wind
A Southwest Research Institute-led study using NASA's Parker Solar Probe has identified a new source of energetic particles in the nascent solar wind. The research found that magnetic reconnection near the heliospheric current sheet heats the solar atmosphere and accelerates charged particles to near-relativistic speeds.
“Raindrops in the Sun’s corona”: New adaptive optics shows stunning details of our star’s atmosphere
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking adaptive optics system that removes blur from images of the Sun's corona, revealing clearest images to date. The technology has produced remarkable observations of fine-structure in the corona, including raindrops and turbulent internal flows.
SwRI scientist discovers how solar events affect the velocity of helium pickup ions
A new study by SwRI scientists reveals that solar energetic particles (SEPs) can be twice as fast as the solar wind and are more effectively accelerated to higher energies due to their distinct velocity distribution. This discovery is crucial for understanding radiation hazards to astronauts.
New project investigates mysteries of Sun’s atmosphere
A new £5 million project will tackle fundamental questions in solar physics by simulating the Sun's radiation and atmospheric conditions. The Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite (SAMS) aims to build a next-generation modelling tool for the solar atmosphere, capturing its complex dynamics.
Largest imaging spectro-polarimeter achieves first light at the NSF Daniel K. Inouye solar telescope
The VTF successfully captured a two-dimensional snapshot of the Sun at specific wavelengths, showcasing its scientific capabilities. The instrument enables scientists to analyze plasma properties and study solar magnetic fields, crucial for understanding solar flares and space weather.
SwRI-led PUNCH mission instruments collect first images
The PUNCH mission has successfully collected its first images of the solar corona using four small spacecraft that act as a single virtual instrument. The images show the outer atmosphere of the Sun in stunning detail, with scientists aiming to remove background light and preserve the faint signal of the solar wind.
NJIT physicist Dale Gary named American Astronomical Society Fellow
Dale Gary, a distinguished professor of physics at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, has been named an American Astronomical Society Fellow. He is recognized for his national and international leadership in solar radio engineering and physics, advancing our understanding of solar energetic processes.
SwRI’s Lisa Upton awarded prestigious solar physics prize
Dr. Lisa Upton received the 2025 Karen Harvey Prize for advancing our understanding of the solar corona and improving solar cycle predictions. She is a leading advocate for a solar polar mission to explore the last uncharted regions of the Sun's atmosphere.
Eyes on the Sun: Naked thallium-205 ion decay reveals history over millions of years
Researchers at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH measure half-life of thallium-205 ion decay to understand Sun's long-term stability and its connection to Earth's climate. The experiment, known as LOREX, provides insights into the Sun's evolutionary history.
Scientists share early results from NASA’s solar eclipse experiments
Scientists report early results from NASA-funded solar eclipse experiments, capturing detailed images of the Sun's corona and studying its effects on the atmosphere and ionosphere. The experiments involved citizen scientists, amateur radio operators, and aircraft observations, providing valuable data for future research.
Long-sought measurement of exotic beta decay in thallium helps extract the timescale of the Sun’s birth
Researchers successfully measured the bound-state beta decay of fully-ionized thallium ions, revealing key information about AGB star production and the Sun's formation time. The discovery allows for accurate calculations of radioactive lead production in these stars, providing insights into the solar system's early history.
Physicists discover first “black hole triple”
Astronomers have observed a black hole triple system for the first time, featuring a central black hole consuming a star and a distant companion that orbits every 70,000 years. The discovery raises questions about the origins of the black hole itself.
NJIT launches AI-powered solar eruption center with $5M NASA grant
The new center aims to develop AI-driven tools for predicting solar eruptions, expand space science education programs, and build a long-term dataset of sun activity. It will also establish an education program providing research opportunities for students and promoting STEM education.
UTA receives $1.5 million for space weather program
The University of Texas at Arlington has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to train scientists in space physics and data science. The grant will also enable UTA to create a specialization in space physics for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in physics.
Researchers find clues to the mysterious heating of the sun’s atmosphere
A team led by Sayak Bose has made significant progress in understanding the underlying heating mechanism of coronal holes. They found that reflected plasma waves can cause turbulence and heat coronal holes, providing the first experimental verification of Alfvén wave reflection.
New research from Swansea University shines a light on how solar power and farming can coexist
The study predicts light transmission, absorption, and power generation of different PV materials, enabling the selection of optimal materials for agrivoltaics. By carefully tuning the 'colour' of light transmitted through semi-transparent PVs, researchers can enhance crop growth while generating solar power.
NASA, ESA missions help scientists uncover how solar wind gets energy
Scientists have discovered how the Sun's supersonic solar wind receives energy, thanks to a lucky alignment of NASA and ESA spacecraft. The fastest solar winds are powered by magnetic switchbacks, which deposit enough energy to account for heating and acceleration in the solar wind.
The corona is weirdly hot—Parker Solar Probe rules out one explanation
Scientists find that magnetic field bends are absent inside the sun's corona, ruling out a key explanation for its high heat. The study suggests an indirect role of magnetic collisions in the formation of switchbacks and solar wind heating.
New dawn for space storm alerts could help shield Earth's tech
Researchers at Aberystwyth University have made a breakthrough in predicting the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their arrival time on Earth. This discovery improves our ability to forecast space weather events, providing crucial advance warnings for protecting vital technological systems.
Online professional education works for complex topics
UTA researchers found that sending material in advance and using Zoom features like chat, polling, and breakout rooms helped keep participants engaged. Short, relevant videos also proved effective in teaching complicated topics. The team recommends a structured approach with activities like icebreaker exercises to foster community enga...
Sun’s magnetic field originates surprisingly close to the surface
Researchers have discovered that the sun's magnetic field is generated about 20,000 miles below its surface, contradicting previous theories. This finding helps scientists better understand the sun's dynamic processes and could lead to more accurate forecasts of powerful solar storms.
Solar physicists unlock the key to how sunspots form—and much more
Researchers uncover possible origins of sun's engine, the solar dynamo, which drives sunspots and solar storms. The study reveals that the dynamo may begin in the sun's outermost layers, contradicting decades-old theories.
Tiniest ‘starquake’ ever detected – new study
A team of scientists detected the tiniest 'starquakes' ever recorded in the smallest and coolest dwarf star, Epsilon Indi. The detection was made possible by the ESPRESSO spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory's VLT, allowing for unprecedented precision levels.
Nanoscale manipulation of exciton–trion interconversion in a MoSe2 monolayer via tip-enhanced cavity-spectroscopy
Researchers have developed a novel 'nano active control platform' to control excitons and trions, providing valuable insights into the optical properties of two-dimensional semiconductors. The breakthrough discovery enables real-time analysis of nano-light properties with exceptional spatial resolution.
AURA appoints Christoph Keller as next National Solar Observatory Director
Christoph Keller, a world-recognized astronomer, has been appointed as the next Director of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) succeeding Dr. Valentin Pillet. Keller brings extensive experience and expertise in solar physics to lead NSO into its exciting future.
One of the largest magnetic storms in history quantified: Aurorae covered much of the night sky from the Tropics to the Polar Regions
A recent solar coronal mass ejection caused aurorae at low latitudes, while a historically significant event in 1872 was found to be one of the most extreme geomagnetic storms in history. The storm's impact on modern society could be severe, with potential disruptions to power grids, communication systems, and satellite communications.
Disc around star observed in another galaxy for the first time
Researchers from Rice University and Durham University discovered a rotating disc of material circling a massive young star outside the Milky Way. The finding provides strong evidence for the formation process of high-mass stars, which are several times bigger than the Sun.
NJIT scientists uncover aurora-like radio emission above a sunspot
Researchers from NJIT-CSTR have discovered an extraordinary aurora-like display occurring 40,000 km above a sunspot. The novel radio emission shares characteristics with planetary magnetospheres and potentially opens new avenues for understanding similar phenomena in distant stars with large starspots.
Plot thickens in hunt for ninth planet
Researchers find evidence supporting Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) as an alternative to Planet Nine hypothesis. MOND predicts precise orbital clustering in the outer solar system, which could be indicative of a modified law of gravity at play.
Northumbria University preparing for satellite launch after £5m boost for satellite communications research
Northumbria University is set to launch the UK's first university-led multi-satellite space mission with a new laser-based satellite communications system. The £5 million award will allow researchers to design, test and build the first CubeSat with laser optical communications technology.
Why the day is 24 hours long: Astrophysicists reveal why Earth’s day was a constant 19.5 hours for over a billion years
For over a billion years, the sun's atmospheric tide countered the moon's gravitational pull, keeping Earth's rotational rate steady and day length at 19.5 hours. This balance was disrupted by climate change, resulting in our current 24-hour day stretching to over 60 hours if not for the pause.
WVU faculty, students contribute to cosmic breakthrough uncovering evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves
Researchers from West Virginia University have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves, which can only be perceived with a detector much larger than the Earth. The signal was detected using pulsar timing arrays and has significant implications for understanding spacetime dynamics.
Becker receives funding for scientific support in solar physics
Peter Becker at George Mason University received significant funding to explore high-energy plasma phenomena in the sun's atmosphere. The research aims to understand events that can impact radio communications on Earth, with a focus on large flares and coronal mass ejection events.
'Hot Jupiters' may not be orbiting alone
A study by Indiana University astronomer Songhu Wang reveals that at least a fraction of hot Jupiters cannot form through violent processes, suggesting a new understanding of their evolution. Researchers found 12% of hot Jupiters and 70% of warm Jupiters have nearby planetary companions.
Supercomputer simulations provide a better picture of the Sun’s magnetic field
Scientists at Aalto University and MPS used petascale supercomputers to simulate the Sun's magnetic field, finding evidence for a small-scale dynamo that challenges conventional understanding. This discovery could lead to improved predictions of major solar events, providing vital extra time for preparation.