They discover why the Sun is cooler than its own atmosphere. What does it mean to obtain an approximation of this scientific advance?
Scientific theory has always told us that distance is a key factor when it comes to understanding the heating that one object exerts on another, with cooling occurring the further away one is from the other. NASA and ESA, in a recent joint collaboration, could have achieved an important advance in the matter. Why is the Sun, being the element that emits heat, at a lower temperature than its atmosphere? This space mystery has been present in the scientific community for about 65 years.
A new investigation could have found clear evidence on the matter. Let’s see, in more detail, what this new theory consists of and, of course, why we could be facing a new line of study. This collaboration could be extended over the next few years, and a future consensus could be achieved in this regard.
The atmosphere surrounding the Sun is an average temperature of one million degrees Celsius, while that of the surface of the Star itself is located at 6,000 degrees Celsius. How is this possible considering the laws of physics? The main space organizations have been analyzing how this event can occur for a long time. Until now, it was thought that turbulence in the solar atmosphere could explain this unusual phenomenon.
Now, however, a new theory in this regard could be about to be developed. Thanks to the intervention of the Solar Orbiter probe and the Parker solar probe from NASA, a new conclusion has been reached that could change the way we understand this phenomenon. After carrying out a series of measurements related to the plasma and the temperature present in the atmosphere, it has been possible to reach the conclusion that, indeed, there is a direct relationship between turbulence and this environment.
Apparently, this turbulence produces random movements in the magnetized fluid. This energy is transferred to smaller scales, producing heat during the process. Therefore, an important step has been taken in corroborating the thesis that had been maintained up to this point. Even so, various tests remain ahead to materialize a possible new theory that would allow us to study the Sun and its composition from a new point of focus.
We will therefore have to wait a while to see new advances in the matter. Be that as it may, we are faced with an investigation that will continue to be explored with the aim of understanding the origin of the Solar System and what possible scenarios could be seen in the future. Who would have thought that this mystery would be solved through the turbulence caused by the heat given off by the Sun?