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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.