A team at the National Solar Observatory has made a groundbreaking discovery using adaptive optics, correcting for atmospheric distortion to deliver unprecedented images of the Sun’s corona. The corona, the Sun’s outermost layer, is hotter than its surface and dominated by powerful magnetic fields.
Previous attempts to observe the corona were hindered by atmospheric interference, but this new system utilizes computer-controlled deformable mirrors to counteract the effect. By doing so, researchers have revealed fine structures in the corona that were previously unknown.
The study’s lead author, Dirk Schmidt, said, “Resolving fine structures in the Sun’s corona may provide key insights into rapid eruptions and the heating of the corona.” The new findings show features not previously observed, leaving scientists eager to understand the corona’s behavior.
This technological advancement boosts resolution by a factor of 10, opening doors to new discoveries. The team plans to implement this technology on the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, the largest solar telescope in the world.
The research, published in Nature Astronomy, marks a significant step forward for solar scientists and promises many more breakthroughs in the years to come.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/new-adaptive-optics-show-raindrops-on-the-sun