The solar corona , the aura of plasm that surrounds the Sun , holds a huge mystery . It is much hotter than the surface of the Sun , and we do n’t know exactly how that ’s possible . Many theories have been advise to explicate the coronal heating problem , but we do n’t have an agreed result . Now , a new discovery might provide what solar scientist need to explicate the enigma .
The team has discovered that atomic number 26 ions come out to get trapped by magnetic orbit and electric currents in regions near the solar surface . Since the corona is take by monitor these ion , it is possible that we are missing energetic issue that start on the solar aerofoil that wake up the electric glow . The findings are published in theAstrophysical Journal .
The solar control surface has a temperature of about 5,500 ° C ( 10,000 ° fluorine ) , but the corona can be zillion of grade . To measure the temperature of the corona , scientists look at what elements have lose electrons and have become ionise . At those high-pitched temperatures , it ’s the heaviest elements like atomic number 26 that can be spy by our high - Department of Energy telescopes . This cogitation suggests that more vigor might be drop dead in the corona discharge than previously cogitate .
" We knew that something really challenging happens at the user interface between the photosphere – the Sun ’s surface – and the corona , give the detectable disparities in the chemical composing between the two layers and the tart rise in plasm temperatures at this articulation , " lead author Professor Gregory Fleishman , from the New Jersey Institute of Technology , said in astatement .
The ion traps identified in the field are at the base of coronal loop – the mammoth discharge of electrified plasm direct by the strong magnetic study of the Sun ’s surface . The team used NASA ’s Solar Dynamics Observatory to discover the ion snare . This combined with the latest measurements of galvanising and magnetic airfield of the Sun gives researchers a more complete picture show of what ’s going on .
" Prior to these observations , we have only accounted for the coronal loop filled with clayey ions , but we could not account for flux tubes depleted of them , " Fleishman added . " Now all of these poorly understood phenomena have a solid forcible fundament that we can observe . We are able to well measure the aureole ’s thermal bodily structure and gain a clearer understanding of why ion statistical distribution in the solar air is non - unvarying in space and variable in time . "
This research provides much - need insights into the complex behavior of our Sun and will hopefully help stargazer finally excuse the mysteries of the solar Saint Elmo’s fire .
