Blitz Bureau
Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have found a new way to probe deeper into the sun’s secrets by studying the magnetic field at different layers of the solar atmosphere using data from IIA’s Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope.The magnetic fields are responsible for transferring energy and mass from the inner layers to the outer layers. The magnetic field is the prime driver of the solar wind
These magnetic fields are responsible for transferring energy and mass from the inner layers to the outer layers. The magnetic field is the prime driver of the solar wind. It is necessary to take accurate magnetic field measurements at various heights in order to comprehend these processes.
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO) is known for the discovery of the Evershed Effect in 1909. The primary mirror of the 3-mirror setup at the Tunnel Telescope at the observatory tracks the sun,the secondary mirror (M2) redirects sunlight downwards, and the tertiary mirror (M3) makes the beam horizontal. This kind of setup, where the primary mirror is rotated to track a moving object in the sky, in this case, the Sun, is called a Coelostat.
The results of the study showed that the Hα line is an essential probe of the chromospheric magnetic field, especially in the case of solar flares and other abrupt temperature swings. “Our study highlights the Hα line’s effectiveness in probing the chromospheric magnetic field, especially in flaring regions,” said Harsh Mathur, the lead author.
The study, which has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, highlights the potential for a deeper understanding of the Sun’s magnetic field stratification that may be obtained with cutting-edge observatories like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) and the upcoming European Solar Telescope (EST).
