The sun apparently works differently than we thought, the world’s scientists wonder. In the current images, they have newly observed a large polar vortex that rotates around the solar pole. Why it formed in such an unusual way on the surface of our star is not yet clear. According to astronomers, however, it is possible that a so-called magnetic reversal occurs together with it.
The observation of unusual phenomena in the Sun caused a wave of enthusiasm among the world’s scientists in recent months. The available images from the James Webb telescope show parts of the solar plasma that spin outside the surface around the north pole of this star. Scientists are now wondering what could have caused the chunk of the Sun to break off.
“It’s the polar vortex! Material that has separated from the main surface circulates in a massive polar vortex around the north pole of our star,” astronomer Tamitha Skov commented on the footage on the X social network, saying that, in her opinion, this phenomenon could have significant consequences for the future understanding of the solar atmosphere. She expressed her amazement at the vortex over the Sun for the magazine Space also solar physicist Scott McIntosh, who said he had never seen anything like it in his career.
Talk about Polar Vortex! Material from a northern prominence just broke away from the main filament & is now circulating in a massive polar vortex around the north pole of our Star. Implications for understanding the Sun’s atmospheric dynamics above 55° here cannot be overstated! pic.twitter.com/1SKhunaXvP
— Dr. Tamitha Skov (@TamithaSkov) February 2, 2023
According to McIntosh, the vortex may be copying a phenomenon that also mysteriously appears once every 11 years, i.e. per solar cycle. At 55 degrees latitude, chunks of plasma from the eruptions accumulate to a lesser degree and head towards the solar poles.
Although no one still knows what is behind the tearing off of pieces of the Sun, astronomers from the American NASA believe that it could be related to the so-called reversal of the star’s magnetic field. This should take place every 11 years, the website notes Indy100.
However, the mysterious phenomenon continues to fascinate researchers around the world and, according to them, reveals everything about the universe that humanity still had no chance to know. However, the Solar Orbiter mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) could soon help to get to the bottom of the fascinating polar vortex. From orbiting Mercury, the satellite will photograph the surface of the burning ball in the sky on which the world depends.
“I think we’ll probably need another mission to unravel the mystery of the polar vortex,” McIntosh added.
Astronauts showed an unusual phenomenon. Candles in space burn completely differently than on Earth (09/2023):
TN.cz
2023-10-04 12:47:00
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