These images captured by NASA as close as possible to the sun are historic. And you will understand why

While Santa Claus embarked on his sleigh on December 24. Meanwhile, the Solar Probe Parker (NASA) was preparing for a passage as close as possible to our sun. Therefore, Just 6.1 million kilometers from its surface. Furthermore, At the heart of the solar crown, theatmosphereatmosphere exterior of our star. For example, NASA has just published the images that the probe then returned to our land. For example, Images of our sun taken closer than ever before.

Images that should provide astronomersastronomers Precious information on the crown and the solar wind. However, What better understand the functioning of our star. But also considerably improve forecasts for meteorologymeteorology Spatial to better guarantee the safety of our astronauts and protect our technologies.

Unpublished images of the activity of our sun – These images captured nasa close

It is notably thanks to the instrument Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (Wispr). Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and ProtonsProtons (Sweap) that unpublished and breathtaking details have been seized. For the first time these images captured nasa close in high resolutionresolutionthe collision of several ejections of massemasse Coronal (CMECME). These particle explosions play a key role in the space weather.

When CME collides, their trajectory can change and make the forecast of their falling point more difficult. The loaded particles that constitute them can also be accelerated and the magnetic fields intertwined. What make the phenomenon a little more dangerous for our astronauts or for our technologies.

Another phenomenon that influences the space weather. the mission Parker Solar ProbeParker Solar Probe Imaged more closely than ever: the solar wind. On our earth, it looks like a constant breeze of loaded particles. Of the electronselectrons And protons, mainly. But astronomers now know that this is not the case when you approach these images captured nasa close the sun.

In the heart of the solar wind

Already at some 23.7 million kilometers, the Parker solar probe had revealed magnetic fieldsmagnetic fields and zigzag. Des « switchbacks » As Anglophones call them to describe the sudden and rapid inversion of these fields in the solar wind. At its next passage. about 13 million kilometers this time, the probe had revealed that the limit of the solar crownsolar crown is irregular and more complex than astronomers thought.

This time. the Parker probe made it possible to identify the origin of inflections in the areas of the visible surface of our sun where magnetic funnels are formed. The researchers believe that these inflections feed the quick solar wind which moves around 800 kilometers per second. Additionally, The slow solar wind is twice as dense. But he travels twice as fast and remains these images captured nasa close more mysterious.

“With Parker Solar Probe. we are closer than ever to discover the origins of these solar winds and how they evolve”esteem Nour Rawafi, project scientist Parker Solar Probe in the laboratory of physiquephysique Applied Johns Hopkins (United States), in a statement. This is important. because the interactions between rapid and slow solar winds can create on our land, solar storm conditions which compete with those generated by the CMEs.

While waiting for the next passage near the sun

What the images returned by the Parker solar probe confirm first. is the existence of two types of slow solar winds. They also make it possible to specify their origin. The first of these solar winds, described as alfenic, has small -scale inflections. It could come from coronal holes, dark and cold regions of the solar crown.

The second, simply described as non-alfentin, does not have variations these images captured nasa close in magnetic field. It could come from structures called « helmet streamers »large curls connecting active regions where certain particles can warm. up enough to escape.

“We do not yet have final consensus. but we have many new intriguing data”concludes Adam Szabo, scientist of the mission Parker Solar Probe au Goddard Space Flight CenterGoddard Space Flight Center NASA. Perhaps the next passage in the Solar Crown of the Parker probe on September 15 will bring new clarifications.