Sharpest-Ever Photos Of The Sun Reveal Its Stunning Honeycomb-Like Surface
Image via Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.com
The most detailed images of the sun, taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii, have been shared online.
The photos reveal honeycomb-like patterns of turbulent plasma making up the surface of the sun. The Texas-sized cells take shape as heat is transported to the sun’s surface.
The technology allows astronomers to learn more about the sun’s surface and any solar activity that might have an impact on Earth, including disrupted satellite communications and interruptions in air travel.
“Since the National Science Foundation began work on the telescope, we have eagerly awaited the images,” National Science Foundation director France Cordova said.
Cordova added that the Inouye Solar Telescope will be “able to map the magnetic fields within the sun’s corona, where solar eruptions occur that can impact life on Earth.” The telescope can improve experts’ understanding and better predict solar storms, he added.
“To unravel the sun's biggest mysteries, we have to be able to clearly see these tiny structures from 93 million miles away,” said Thomas Rimmele, director of the organization.
The telescope, together with sun-observing spacecraft NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, will further dip into the sun’s atmosphere to study the effects.
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— NatlSolarObservatory (@NatSolarObs) January 29, 2020
Our star, in action, doing what it does. #2020SolarVision
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Captured by @NSF Inouye Solar Telescope pic.twitter.com/nTEUmfGIaT
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— NatlSolarObservatory (@NatSolarObs) January 29, 2020
The @NSF's Inouye Solar Telescope images the sun in more detail than we’ve ever before. Close up, these images show, for the first time, the smallest features ever seen on the solar surface, some as small as 30km. #2020SolarVision
Background: NISP/GONG. pic.twitter.com/957y0TGSON
See the Sun like never before! @NSF’s Inouye Solar Telescope produces first detailed images of the sun’s surface. https://t.co/c3SPB6gg8w #SolarVision2020
— National Science Foundation (@NSF) January 29, 2020
📷: @NatSolarObs/ @AURADC/ NSF pic.twitter.com/1GP2rwkVG0
[via Independent, opening image via Facebook]
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