Tiny plasma jets on the sun drive the elusive solar wind, Europe's Solar Orbiter reveals

New findings from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft reveal the surprising role of tiny plasma jets in driving the solar wind.

The solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles emanating from the sun, bathes our solar system and influences everything from Earth's auroras to the behavior of comets. However, the origin of this ubiquitous phenomenon has remained a mystery for decades.

Now, a new study led by Lakshmi Pradeep Chitta at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany has identified tiny jets of plasma, known as picoflares, as the primary drivers of both the fast and slow components of the solar wind.

Picoflares: Tiny but mighty

Picoflares are miniature versions of solar flares, the powerful eruptions of energy on the sun's surface. Despite their small size, picoflares are incredibly energetic, releasing as much energy in a minute as 10,000 UK households consume in a year.

Solar Orbiter's close-up view

Using data from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, Chitta's team observed picoflares occurring in coronal holes, regions of open magnetic field lines on the sun. These observations allowed them to directly link the picoflares to the solar wind measured by the spacecraft.

A surprising discovery

The team was surprised to find that picoflares are responsible for both the fast and slow solar wind. Previously, it was thought that different mechanisms were at play.

Implications for space weather

This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of space weather, the disturbances in the solar wind that can affect Earth's magnetic field and disrupt technologies like satellites and GPS. By understanding the origin of the solar wind, we can better predict and mitigate the impacts of space weather events.

Future research

The Solar Orbiter will continue to make close passes to the sun, providing more data to further our understanding of picoflares and the solar wind. This research will help us unravel the mysteries of our star and its influence on our solar system.

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