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Global magnetic field of the Sun
Why is it in News?
- Global magnetic field of Sun’s atmosphere measured for the first time.
Details:
- This measurement may help to solve the coronal heating problem.
- It will also help to understand mechanisms of eruptions of the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
- Coronal heating problem:
(1) The core of the Sun is at a temperature of about 15 million degrees.
(2) Its outer layer, the photosphere is a mere 5700 degrees hot.
(3) However, its corona or outer atmosphere is much, much hotter than the surface.
(4) ‘What causes the atmosphere of the Sun (corona) to heat up again, though the surface (photosphere) is cooler than the interior?’ is major puzzle before scientists.
- Technique known as coronal seismology or magnetoseismology is used to measure the coronal magnetic field.
- While ground-based measurements pose challenges, India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1 satellite will aim to measure the solar coronal magnetic fields regularly.