Thursday 29 May 2025
The solar corona, a region of the sun’s atmosphere that extends millions of kilometers into space, has long been a topic of fascination for scientists. While we’ve made significant progress in understanding this enigmatic realm, there are still many unanswered questions about its behavior and properties.
Recently, researchers have turned their attention to the quiet Sun, specifically the metric and decametric frequency bands where radio waves emanate from the corona. These low-frequency emissions are thought to be dominated by thermal brehmsstrahlung, or radiation produced when hot electrons in the plasma emit energy as they move through the magnetic field. However, a new study suggests that this might not be the whole story.
Using data from the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope and advanced computer simulations, scientists have found evidence of an additional emission mechanism: gyrosynchrotron radiation. This type of radiation is produced when electrons accelerated by strong magnetic fields emit energy as they spiral along the field lines.
The researchers used a technique called FORWARD to generate synthetic images of the solar corona at low frequencies. They then compared these simulations with actual observations from LOFAR and found significant discrepancies between the two. The observed emissions were brighter and more structured than the simulated ones, suggesting that something was missing from their model.
Further analysis revealed that gyrosynchrotron radiation could be responsible for the excess emission. This type of radiation is typically associated with active regions, where intense magnetic fields are present. However, the study found evidence of it in the quiet Sun as well, specifically in areas with strong coronal holes.
These findings have significant implications for our understanding of the solar corona and its behavior. Gyrosynchrotron radiation could play a crucial role in shaping the structure and dynamics of the corona, particularly in regions where magnetic fields are strong. This new emission mechanism also provides a way to probe the coronal magnetic field and study its evolution over time.
The study’s results have sparked excitement among scientists, who are eager to learn more about this phenomenon. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind gyrosynchrotron radiation in the quiet Sun and its impact on our understanding of the solar corona.
Cite this article: “Uncovering a New Emission Mechanism in the Quiet Solar Corona”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Solar Corona, Radio Waves, Thermal Brehmsstrahlung, Gyrosynchrotron Radiation, Magnetic Field, Electrons, Plasma, Low Frequency Array (Lofar), Forward, Coronal Holes
