Evidence found of magnetic reconnection generating spicules on the sun

An international team of researchers has found evidence that magnetic reconnection is the source of spicule generation on the surface of the sun. In their paper published in the journal Science, ...

Realigning magnetic fields may drive the sun’s spiky plasma tendrils

Solar spicules emerge near counterpointing magnetic fields, hinting that self-adjusting magnetism creates these filaments, which may heat the corona.

A Million Geysers of Plasma Spout from the Sun, and Scientists May Finally Know Why

When it comes to the mystery behind what causes jets of plasma that regularly erupt from the sun, clues have now emerged suggesting magnetic clashes on the surface of the sun may be the culprits.

Millions of Gargantuan Plasma ‘Spicules’ Might Be Spreading Heat Around the Sun’s Atmosphere

The sun's surface is covered by millions of enormous plasma jets known as spicules at any given moment. Now, researchers think they know why.

New observations help explain why sun's upper atmosphere is hotter than its surface

Observations by the Big Bear Solar Observatory have offered fresh insights into source of extreme temperatures measured in the sun's upper atmosphere.

Images from solar observatory peel away layers of a stellar mystery

NSF-funded scientists at the New Jersey Institute of Technology have shed new light on one of the central mysteries of solar physics: how ... Read more

Central mysteries of solar physics

Scientists have shed new light on one of the central mysteries of solar physics: how energy from the Sun is transferred to the star's upper atmosphere, heating it to 1 million degrees Fahrenheit ...

Long-standing conundrum on the Sun’s atmosphere solved

The study used high-resolution and high cadence images

Images from NJIT's big bear solar observatory peel away layers of a stellar mystery

Magnetic reconnection on sun's surface launches solar spicules

(American Association for the Advancement of Science) New observations of solar spicules, ubiquitous jet-like plasma features that punctuate the sun's atmosphere, suggest they are generated ...