Similar to the aurora borealis: scientists have noticed unusual radiation in the Sun’s atmosphere
In the Sun’s atmosphere, scientists have noticed unusual radio radiation, similar to the aurora borealis.
This is reported by Science Alert with reference to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy.
Radio radiation was recorded in the photosphere at an altitude of 40,000 kilometers above sunspots (darker and colder areas on the surface of the star).
“We discovered a special type of long-lasting polarized radio emission coming from a sunspot that lasted for more than a week.
This is nothing like the typical, fleeting solar radio bursts that usually last minutes or hours. This is an exciting discovery that could potentially change our understanding of stellar magnetic processes.” – explained the co-author of the study, Xijie Yu.
| Visualization of aurora-like radiation in the Sun’s photosphere. Photo: Sijie Yu |
Auroras are quite common on Earth. In addition, they were recorded on all other large planets of the Solar System and even on the four Galilean satellites of Jupiter.
The auroras are formed when the sun’s charged particles fall into a magnetic field that amplifies their energy before falling into the atmosphere. There, the particles interact with atoms and molecules, creating a glow. In addition to visible light, there is also radio radiation.
Sunspots occur in the photosphere of a star. This is a region with extremely strong magnetic fields that hold back the solar plasma. Therefore, the acceleration of solar particles can also take place there. In addition, it is much more powerful than on Earth.
Scientists plan to study archival data to find evidence of the aurora phenomenon in previous bursts of solar activity.
“We are beginning to piece together the puzzle of how charged particles and magnetic fields interact in a system with long-lived starspots. Not only in our Sun, but also in stars far beyond our Solar System.” – noted the co-author of the study Surajit Mondal.
We will remind you that earlier NASA explained why space objects are mostly round in shape.
Read also: Explosions in space can weaken the Earth’s shield, which protects it from solar radiation – research
