The Magnetic Carpet Of The Sun
Explanation:
The Sun has a magnetic carpet.
Its visible surface appears to be
carpeted with tens of thousands of magnetic north and south poles
joined by looping field lines which extend outward into
the Solar Corona.
Recently, researchers have revealed maps
of large numbers of these small magnetic concentrations
produced using data and images from the
space-based SOHO observatory.
The above computer generated
sunscape highlights these effects,
with white and black field lines drawn in joining
regions of strong magnetism.
A close-up of
the Solar surface is
illustrated in the inset.
These small magnetic regions emerge, fragment, drift, and disappear
over periods of only 40 hours or so.
Their origin is mystifying and
their dynamic behavior is difficult to reconcile with present
theories
of rotationally driven
large-scale
Solar Magnetism.
Is some unknown process at work?
Possibly, but the source of this mystery may well be
the solution to another --
the long standing mystery
of why the outer Solar Corona is over 100 times
hotter than
the sun's visible surface!
The SOHO data reveal that energy released as these
loops break apart and interact seems to be heating the coronal plasma.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
