A Breakthrough in Solar Science!

The National Science Foundation's Daniel F. Inouye Solar Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing the smallest magnetic loops ever observed in the sun's corona. These loops might just be the key players in the explosive solar flares that frequently erupt from our star.

"This is a landmark moment in solar science," exclaimed Cole Tamburri from the University of Colorado, Boulder. "For the first time, we are witnessing the sun on its working scale!"

Understanding Solar Flares: The Mechanism Behind the Magic

Solar flares occur when tightly looped magnetic field lines in the corona stretch and snap, unleashing tremendous energy. While this phenomenon has long been known, many details surrounding magnetic reconnection and the intricacies of solar flares remain enigmatic. Scientists have been eager to answer one crucial question: just how small can these coronal loops be, and what is their role in the creation of solar flares?

Extraordinary Findings from DKIST