Alfvénic or kink waves

Scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have developed a new method to detect hidden turbulence in the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona. The findings could provide fresh clues to one of solar physics’ biggest mysteries — why the corona is millions of degrees hotter than the Sun’s visible surface.

The research focused on propagating transverse magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves, also called Alfvénic or kink waves, which move through magnetic structures in the corona and cause them to sway sideways. Scientists observed that these waves can create alternating red and blue asymmetries in coronal spectral lines, revealing complex plasma motions and hidden turbulence.

Using advanced three-dimensional simulations and forward modelling, researchers demonstrated that density variations and wave interactions inside magnetic plumes generate turbulence through a process called phase mixing. This turbulence produces irregular plasma motions that distort spectral lines observed from the corona. The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Source: PIB