Solar Orbiter Catches the Sun’s Missing High-Speed Vibrations

The Sun’s polar coronal holes generate high-frequency magnetic waves that contribute to the fast solar wind. A study using Solar Orbiter data found over 2,318 such waves in the EUI, compared to 560 in SDO, highlighting a significant difference in frequency and speed. The EUI detected waves with shorter wavelengths and higher velocities, carrying 2.6 times more energy than previous estimates. The research suggests these waves may arise from magnetic loops interacting with unconnected field lines, or from spicules directly launching ripples. The findings could help explain the Sun’s outer temperature and the acceleration of fast solar wind particles. The study notes that while the energy from these waves is not yet fully understood, they represent a substantial source of energy hidden by current technology. The Solar Polar-orbit Observatory is expected to improve our ability to detect these waves and solve the mysteries of solar magnetism.

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