NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has been studying the Sun for the last six years. Recently, in 2021, it was directly hit by a coronal mass ejection when it was a mere 10 million kilometers from the solar surface. This fortunate event allowed the probe to gather valuable data and images, enabling scientists to compile an incredible video showcasing the interactions between the solar wind and the coronal mass ejection, providing an unprecedented view of the solar corona.

The Sun, our local star, has always been a captivating subject of study. Despite numerous research efforts, mysteries continue to shroud it. The launch of the NASA Parker Solar Probe in 2018 was aimed at unraveling some of these mysteries. This revolutionary spacecraft, propelled by the Delta IV heavy, has ventured closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft, conducting seven close encounters with our star.

As Parker Solar Probe continues its seven-year mission, it will complete 24 orbits around the Sun and approach as close as 6.2 million kilometers to the visible surface. To withstand the blistering 1,377 degrees Celsius temperatures near the Sun, the probe is equipped with an 11.4cm thick carbon composite shield to maintain the coolness of its internal components.

During its journey through the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, the probe detected turbulence within a coronal mass ejection as it interacted with the solar wind. These ejections are massive eruptions of highly magnetized and energetic plasma from the Sun’s corona, which can cause disruptions in magnetic and radio fields, affecting communications and power systems on Earth.

Using the Wide Field Imager for Parker Solar Probe (WISPR) and its unique positioning within the solar atmosphere, the science team captured unprecedented footage, showcasing what appeared to be turbulent eddies known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHIs) in one of the images. These turbulent structures have been observed in the atmospheres of terrestrial planets, where strong wind shear results in distinct wave-like cloud formations.

Evangelos Paouris, PhD, a member of the WISPR team, was the first to spot this phenomenon. Paouris and the team meticulously analyzed the structure to validate the presence of these waves. The discovery of these rare features within the coronal mass ejection has opened up new avenues for research and investigations.

These KHIs play a crucial role in the movement of coronal mass ejections as they travel through the solar wind. Understanding these phenomena provides valuable insights into the dynamics of CMEs and enhances our understanding of the Sun’s corona. This knowledge not only helps us comprehend the Sun better but also aids in predicting the impact of CMEs on Earth and our space-based technologies.

Source : WISPR Team Images Turbulence within Solar Transients for the First Time