A "solar tsunami" observed by NASA might lead to the first-ever estimate of the Sun's magnetic field.
The "tsunami" is more formally known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). Explosions in the Sun's atmosphere can travel across the blazing surface at speeds of up to 620 miles per second, a University College London press release reported.
The solar winds travel faster when passing through a higher magnetic field, allowing scientists to observe the changes. A research team estimated the density of the solar atmosphere by observing the wave-like phenomenon and how it traveled.
"These are rare observations of a spectacular event that reveal some really interesting details about our nearest star," Dr. David Long, UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, and lead author of the research, said.
The research revealed the magnetic pull in the Sun's atmosphere was not very strong.
"We've demonstrated that the Sun's atmosphere has a magnetic field about ten times weaker than a normal fridge magnet," Long said.
The sun's magnetic field is difficult to measure, and scientists usually rely on computer simulations to make their estimates.
The team observed the solar tsunami with the Japanese Hinode spacecraft, which is equipped with three extremely sensitive telescopes. The telescopes employ X-ray and ultraviolet light to monitor the changes in the movement of the "wave."
Hinode allowed scientists to get a closer look at the coronal mass ejection by working as a microscope to "track how the magnetic field around sunspots is generated shapes itself, and then fades away." The technology allowed the UCL team to observe magnetic fields that researchers once though were too weak for detection.
The tsunami-like explosions often hurtle towards Earth, but are deflected by the planet's own magnetic field. The solar storms can affect satellites and technology.
"As our dependency on technology increases, understanding how these eruptions occur and travel will greatly assist in protecting against solar activity," Long said.
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