Images collected by Solar Orbiter have helped unravel another mystery of the universe. This time, clues about the origin of the magnetic phenomenon and how the process of its physical formation can help speed up the solar wind. The phenomenon has already been defined as reverse solaror switch, in Portuguese.
The solar orbiter managed to capture the first ever image of one of these sudden fluctuations in the direction of the magnetic field in the solar corona. “The new observation gives a complete picture of the structure, in this case confirming that it takes the shape of the letter S,” as the scientists had already predicted. The ESA adds that “the global perspective provided by the Solar Orbiter data indicates that these rapidly changing magnetic fields may have their origin near the surface of the Sun.”
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As images were taken on March 25, 2022.when Solar Orbiter was only a day away from a close passage of the Sun, and were taken with its Metis instrument, which blocks glare on the Sun’s surface to photograph the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
The scientist who observed the image, Daniele Telloni before The National Institute of Astrophysics – Astrophysical Observatory of Turin, Italy, suggested that this could be the reverse movement of the Sun, and this was confirmed.
Images revealed phenomenon occurring above the active region, cataloged as AR 12972, is characterized by sunspots and magnetic activity. Near the Sun, especially above active regions, there are lines of open and closed magnetic fields.
ESA probe deciphered the mystery of the “switches” of the solar magnetic compotecredits: ESA
“As closed lines are magnetic loops that extend into the solar atmosphere before disappearing back into the sun. Very little plasma can escape into space above these lines, so the solar wind speed tends to be low here.”
“As open field lines they are inverse, emanating from the Sun and associated with the interplanetary magnetic field of the solar system. These are magnetic highways through which plasma can freely flow and generate a fast solar wind.”
A study of images collected in March shows that changes in the direction of the magnetic field occur during the interaction between the area of open lines of force and the area of closed lines of force.. When the lines stick together, they can reconnect in a more stable configuration. “Sort of like breaking a whip, it releases energy and creates an S-shaped perturbation that spreads out into space.” also applies to ESA.
remember, that Solar Orbiter aims to study the connection between the Sun and the heliospherecosmic “bubble” extending beyond the planets of the solar system. This “bubble” is filled with electrically charged particles, most of which are ejected by the Sun, forming the solar wind. The movement of these particles and the associated solar magnetic fields create weather conditions in space, as explained in the ESA blog.
The images that yielded this new data were captured in March closest to the Sun to collect scientific information. The next major approach to the Sun is scheduled for October 13th..
