Bengaluru: Scientists at Indian Institute of Astrophysics detect 4,000 km plasma loops in the Sun’s lower atmosphere

In a notable stride for solar research, scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, have made a rare observation of miniature plasma loops within the Sun’s lower atmosphere. These tiny, yet massive loops—spanning up to 4,000 km in length but narrower than 100 km—were captured in unprecedented detail, marking a key development in the study of the Sun’s dynamic magnetic environment.

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The discovery, made using high-resolution data from the Goode Solar Telescope in the United States and complemented by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), offers a deeper understanding of how magnetic energy behaves in the chromosphere—the layer just above the Sun’s visible surface.

Unlike the well-known coronal loops, which have long been studied for their million-degree temperatures, these miniature loops are short-lived, lasting only a few minutes. Despite their fleeting nature, they appear to reach extremely high temperatures, emitting radiation in ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths—an unusual feature for structures in the dense chromosphere.

The research also reveals that these loops behave similarly to their larger counterparts, offering fresh insights into small-scale magnetic activities that contribute to solar heating. The findings set the stage for future investigations, especially with upcoming advanced instruments like the proposed National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) in Ladakh, which is expected to further unravel the Sun’s complex magnetic puzzles.