Scientists have made the clearest observation yet of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. A new adaptive optics system, dubbed “Cona,” has allowed researchers to study the corona in unprecedented detail. The system uses advanced technology to correct for distortions caused by the Earth’s atmosphere, producing remarkably sharp images.
The Cona system, installed on a solar telescope in California, adjusts a mirror 2,200 times per second to produce high-resolution images of the corona. This has resolved features down to just 39 miles (63 km), far exceeding previous limits. The new footage reveals twisting solar prominences, spicules flickering on the surface, and fine strands of coronal rain.
The observations have significant implications for understanding the Sun’s behavior, particularly why its corona is millions of degrees hotter than its surface. Further studies using the Cona technology are planned for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, which may reveal even more details about the Sun’s atmosphere.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/telescope-upgrade-reveals-suns-coronal-rain-in-unprecedented-detail-2000607634