Scientists Map the Sun's Dynamic Boundary for the First Time
December 16, 2025260 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
Font Size
16
Astronomers have successfully mapped the outer edge of the sun's atmosphere, referred to as the Alfvén surface, marking the first time this boundary has been accurately defined. This region signifies the transition point where solar materials shift from the sun's magnetic influence to a freely flowing stream that forms solar winds.
A Dynamic Boundary
Utilizing direct measurements from NASA's Parker Solar Probe alongside data from other spacecraft, researchers discovered that this boundary is not fixed; rather, it fluctuates in response to the sun's activity. Sam Badman, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center and the principal investigator of the study, stated, "For the first time, we have an accurate map that serves as a navigation guide in this crucial area. We can now monitor changes in real-time and compare them with direct observations, enhancing our understanding of solar processes."
Variability with Solar Activity
As the sun nears the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, the solar boundaries expand and take on a more irregular shape, while they become smoother during quieter solar periods. This advancement allows for improved models to predict solar storms, which can disrupt electrical grids on Earth and endanger astronauts and satellites.
Insights into Other Stars
The research findings may also provide valuable insights into the atmospheres of other stars within our galaxy. Through the Parker Probe's repeated missions into the outer solar atmosphere and employing the specialized SWEAP instrument, scientists have gathered direct samples from beneath the Alfvén surface, pinpointing when and where solar winds escape the sun's magnetic control.
The Path Forward
Research teams are preparing for the Parker Probe to return during the next period of solar calm, enabling them to observe changes in the solar boundary throughout a complete solar cycle. Scientists aim to address one of the most intricate questions in solar physics:
> Why does the sun's corona become hotter as the distance from its surface increases?
A Dynamic Boundary
Utilizing direct measurements from NASA's Parker Solar Probe alongside data from other spacecraft, researchers discovered that this boundary is not fixed; rather, it fluctuates in response to the sun's activity. Sam Badman, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center and the principal investigator of the study, stated, "For the first time, we have an accurate map that serves as a navigation guide in this crucial area. We can now monitor changes in real-time and compare them with direct observations, enhancing our understanding of solar processes."
Variability with Solar Activity
As the sun nears the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, the solar boundaries expand and take on a more irregular shape, while they become smoother during quieter solar periods. This advancement allows for improved models to predict solar storms, which can disrupt electrical grids on Earth and endanger astronauts and satellites.
Insights into Other Stars
The research findings may also provide valuable insights into the atmospheres of other stars within our galaxy. Through the Parker Probe's repeated missions into the outer solar atmosphere and employing the specialized SWEAP instrument, scientists have gathered direct samples from beneath the Alfvén surface, pinpointing when and where solar winds escape the sun's magnetic control.
The Path Forward
Research teams are preparing for the Parker Probe to return during the next period of solar calm, enabling them to observe changes in the solar boundary throughout a complete solar cycle. Scientists aim to address one of the most intricate questions in solar physics:
> Why does the sun's corona become hotter as the distance from its surface increases?
