Tiny Solar Whirlpools Reveal Sun's Magnetic Secrets | Science News

Scientists have unveiled the most detailed image ever of the Sun’s surface, capturing tiny plasma whirlpools as small as 20 kilometers—revealing how these miniature vortices twist magnetic fields and drive solar flares. Powered by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and advanced simulations, the discovery links these swirling structures to Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, a phenomenon seen from ocean waves to planetary clouds. These vortices may solve a long-standing mystery: how magnetic energy builds up and moves through the Sun’s atmosphere, potentially explaining its 11-year cycle and improving space weather forecasts. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/abf8cee7d0f21e8e