Scientists from the American National Solar Observatory (NSO) have made a breakthrough in the study of our star. Thanks to the world’s largest solar telescope—the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST)—it was possible to obtain the sharpest and most detailed images of the surface of the Sun in history. 

DKIST, located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is a real giant among telescopes—its main mirror is as much as 4 meters in diameter. The device can record details as small as just 20 km from a distance of 150 million kilometers, which is equivalent to spotting an object the size of Warsaw from Earth. The instrument’s resolution is less than 0.03 arcseconds, which allowed scientists to capture phenomena previously available only in computer models. 

In the images, scientists observed, among other things, delicate bright and dark bands called striations—structures of the magnetic field resembling wavy fabric. Although they are only 20 km wide, they contain valuable information about changes in the Sun’s magnetic field, which are key to understanding its activity. 

Full-resolution images can be viewed on the National Science Foundation website. 

The images also show sunspots—darker, cooler areas associated with strong magnetic fields. Observing them is crucial for monitoring the Sun’s activity cycle. The star is currently approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle, which is expected in 2025. These spots can be a source of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which affect Earth—disrupting the operation of power grids, GPS, communication systems, and even posing a threat to astronauts. 

DKIST additionally captured convection cells—structures resembling boiling pots, in which hot plasma rises to the surface and, after cooling, sinks back down. Each of these cells is about 1,500 km in diameter. 

In the chromosphere, one of the Sun’s higher atmospheric layers, thin plasma fibers resembling brush strokes are visible. Although their origin is not completely understood, they are a valuable indicator of the direction of chaotic magnetic field lines. 

The new images confirm the effectiveness of solar models and open the way for research that will help predict so-called space weather—phenomena that can have a real impact on our daily lives. 

Source: Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, dzienniknaukowy.pl