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Sun's Magnetic Field Measured through Solar Tsunami
London, Aug 15 (Prensa Latina) A team of scientists obtained accurate measurements of the sun's magnetic field using a solar tsunami.
Specialists at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the UK, observed the tsunami by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Japanese satellite Hinode.
The team showed that the atmosphere of the Sun has a magnetic field about ten times weaker than that of a typical magnet as those used to attach notes to the refrigerator.
According to experts, the sun's magnetic field is difficult to measure directly and is usually estimated by intensive computer simulations.
Nevertheless, The Hinode spacecraft has three highly sensitive telescopes, which use visible, X-ray and ultraviolet light to examine both slow and rapid changes in the magnetic field.
Experts say Solar tsunamis are produced by enormous explosions in the Sun's atmosphere called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
As the CME travels out into space, the tsunami travels across the Sun at speeds of up to 1000 kilometres per second.
Similar to tsunamis on Earth, the shape of solar tsunamis is changed by the environment through which they move.
Solar tsunamis have a higher speed in regions of stronger magnetic field. This unique feature allowed the team to measure the Sun's magnetic field.
The explosions that produce solar tsunamis can send CMEs hurtling towards the Earth. Although protected by its own magnetic field, the Earth is vulnerable to these solar storms as they can adversely affect satellites and technological infrastructure.
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