NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (PSP) has made significant strides in understanding solar wind origins and structures by flying close to the sun’s surface. In a study led by Stuart D. Bale from UC Berkeley, researchers found that high-energy particles from coronal holes align with supergranulation flows, suggesting these areas are sources of “fast” solar wind. Coronal holes, regions where magnetic field lines emerge and extend outward, are crucial for understanding solar activity that affects Earth, particularly during the sun’s 11-year cycle.
The analysis reveals that these holes function similarly to showerheads, with jets of charged particles generated through a process called magnetic reconnection. This occurs when opposing magnetic fields interact, enhancing energy output and accelerating particles. The PSP, launched in 2018, aims to clarify these mechanisms, especially as solar activity intensifies.
Data collected near 12 solar radii from the sun’s surface indicate structured jets rather than mere turbulence, affirming magnetic reconnection as the primary driver of particle acceleration. By continuing to study the sun’s activity, particularly during its solar maximum, PSP contributes to improved forecasts of solar storms that can disrupt communication and power systems on Earth.
