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Sun's Corona Mystery Solved: Twisting Waves Heat Atmosphere

10/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers provide direct evidence of small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun's corona, published in Nature Astronomy.
The work addresses an 80-year mystery of why the corona is hotter than the Sun's surface.
Led by Richard Morton of Northumbria University, team used Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope to measure movements.
The findings indicate twisting magnetic waves may heat the corona and influence space weather, impacting satellite communications and power grids on Earth.

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Story summary

Researchers provide direct evidence of small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun's corona, published in Nature Astronomy.
The work addresses an 80-year mystery of why the corona is hotter than the Sun's surface.
Led by Richard Morton of Northumbria University, team used Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope to measure movements.
The findings indicate twisting magnetic waves may heat the corona and influence space weather, impacting satellite communications and power grids on Earth.