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Solar flares · International

Plasma whirlpools may help explain solar flares

2 sourcesUpdated 11 Sept 2026, 1:32 pm Coverage regionsInternational
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Researchers using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope observed Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the boundaries of solar magnetic elements.

The telescope captured detailed images of high-energy whirlpools of magnetized plasma on a patch of the Sun reported as 19 kilometers wide.

Scientists say the swirling motion could twist the Sun’s magnetic field and help build up energy before solar explosions.

The findings do not yet allow precise flare prediction, but they may improve understanding of how energy is stored and transferred on the solar surface.

Why it mattersBetter flare prediction could improve satellite, radio, and power-grid protections.
More context

The research was published in Nature on August 5.

The work is described as relevant to space weather that can affect technology on Earth.

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What coverage agrees on

Both reports say the telescope observed swirling plasma on the Sun and that the pattern is linked to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. They also agree the finding may help scientists better understand how energy builds up before solar flares.

What is changing or disputed

What remains uncertain is whether the discovery can support precise solar-flare prediction, since the reporting says it does not yet do that. The practical impact for space-weather forecasting may change as researchers build on the new observations.

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Neutral2

Researchers using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope observed Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the boundaries of solar magnetic elements. The reports say the telescope captured detailed images of magnetized plasma whirlpools on the Sun and that the patch observed was 19 kilometers wide. The finding is presented as a step toward understanding how energy is stored and transferred before solar flares, though not as a way to predict them precisely. The reporting also notes possible relevance for space weather that affects technology on Earth.

Distinctive emphasis — reported claim, not independently verified.Sources: The Economic Times
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The Economic Times Neutral framing Reported

A newly discovered solar phenomenon could help scientists predict the Sun’s next powerful outburst and sol

Quick source take

The Economic Times reports that researchers using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope have observed Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on the solar surface. The findings reveal tiny, swirling plasma movements at the boundaries of magnetised regions, which could help scientists understand how energy is stored and transferred before solar flares occur. While the discovery does not yet allow for precise flare predictions, researchers believe it provides valuable insight into space weather that affects Earth technologies.

Science News Explores Neutral framing Reported

Plasma whirlpools on the sun could trigger solar flares

Quick source take

Science News Explores reports that the world's biggest sun-observing telescope captured detailed images of high-energy whirlpools of magnetized plasma on the sun's surface. According to the article, researchers found that borders between solar magnetic elements churn with Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Astrophysicists suggest this swirling plasma could twist the sun's magnetic field, potentially building up energy that leads to solar explosions and affects technology on Earth.