Solar Magnetic Field Braids May Have a Previously Hidden Cause

Scientists using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii have discovered a previously unknown mechanism on the Sun's surface that may be responsible for supplying heat to the star's outer atmosphere. This process, known as a Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI), could also explain the fundamental physics of similar activity on other stars.

KHI occurs when fluids move past each other at different velocities, creating a shear zone that spins small disturbances into vortices. These vortices, similar to those seen in Earth's cloud formations, are also present in regions where the solar wind interacts with planetary magnetospheres. The discovery may help explain the significant temperature difference between the Sun's surface, around 5,800 K (10,000 F), and its corona, which can reach up to a million degrees Kelvin (just under 2 million degrees F).

The findings were made possible by high-resolution images and data gathered by the DKIST facility, which were then analyzed using sophisticated computer simulations. The simulations revealed dozens of vortex-like structures along the edges of magnetic regions on the Sun, which are directly linked to the occurrence of KHI. The study suggests that the Sun's constantly bubbling surface, or granulation, interacts with magnetic structures to create areas where neighboring layers move at different speeds, providing the necessary conditions to trigger KHI. This discovery could also offer new insights into the mysterious heating of the Sun's corona.