Solar Orbiter catches the sun's missing high-speed vibrations

Images from the EUI of the Solar Orbiter show the fine plumes and "transverse" wave motion in the upper atmosphere of the sun. The study found that the EUI detected 2,318 high-frequency magnetic waves, while the SDO detected 560, more than four times as many. The difference was due to the EUI's higher speed and resolution, capturing waves with shorter wavelengths and higher speeds. The faster-moving waves carry 2.6 times as much power as previous estimates. The research suggests these waves could help explain why the sun's outer layer is so hot and how fast solar wind particles are accelerated. The study's findings indicate that the sun's magnetic fields generate high-energy waves that might contribute to the energy required for the solar wind's acceleration. The researchers propose three possible mechanisms for the creation of these waves, but the exact process is still unclear. The study highlights the importance of advanced instruments like the Solar Orbiter in uncovering solar physics mysteries. The findings suggest that energy is hidden in the sun's magnetic activity, and future missions like the Solar Polar-orbit Observatory may help further explore these phenomena.

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