Unveiling the Sun’s Fluffy Appearance: Insights from ESA’s Solar Orbiter Mission
ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission has captured an extraordinary view of the Sun, revealing a surprisingly fluffy appearance unlike any seen before. In a single frame from a video recorded on September 27, 2023, the Sun exhibits feathery, hair-like structures made of plasma, following magnetic field lines in its lower atmosphere as it transitions into the scorching outer corona.
Coronal Moss: The Sun’s Fluffy Feature
This intriguing phenomenon, known as coronal moss, contributes to the Sun’s fluffy appearance. Resembling the fine, lacy features of moss found on Earth, coronal moss typically manifests around the center of sunspot groups, where strong magnetic conditions and large coronal loops are forming. Despite its resemblance to Earthly moss, coronal moss is incredibly hot, spanning two atmospheric layers of the Sun: the chromosphere and corona.
Spectacular Solar Dynamics: Spicules and Coronal Rain
The video also captures other captivating solar dynamics, including spicules and coronal rain. Spicules are tall spires of gas that rise from the Sun’s chromosphere, reaching staggering heights of up to 10,000 km (6,000 miles). Meanwhile, coronal rain consists of cooler, higher-density clumps of plasma that descend back towards the Sun’s surface under the influence of gravity. This material contrasts sharply with the scorching temperatures of the coronal loops, measuring less than 10,000 °C compared to the one million degrees Celsius of the loops.
Unveiling Solar Eruptions: Unprecedented Views
The video also highlights a notable solar eruption, visible at approximately 0:20 seconds. Despite appearing small, this eruption is larger than Earth itself, with cooler material being lifted upwards before descending back towards the Sun’s surface. Such phenomena provide crucial insights into the dynamic nature of the Sun and its influence on the entire Solar System.
Advancing Solar Exploration: Solar Orbiter and Beyond
Missions like Solar Orbiter, along with the Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Dynamics Observatory, are revolutionizing our understanding of the Sun. By providing unprecedented views and data, these missions enable astronomers to unravel the mysteries of our dynamic and vital star, shedding light on its role in powering the entire Solar System.
