Scientists reconstruct Sun’s magnetic field in three dimensions

Researchers have developed a new technique to reconstruct the strength and three-dimensional direction of the magnetic field in the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, utilizes a method called IQUD inversion to extract magnetic information from light and waves traveling through the corona.

By analyzing these signals, the team can move beyond traditional two-dimensional maps to provide a more complete picture of how magnetic fields are arranged in space. The research utilized data from the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory in Hawaii, specifically from observations collected in October 2016 and June 2022 using the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter and its upgraded version.

Understanding the corona’s magnetic structure is critical for studying solar eruptions and coronal mass ejections. These events release energy and charged particles that, when directed toward Earth, can disrupt satellites, radio communications, and power infrastructure. While the method offers a significant advancement for space-weather forecasting, researchers noted it requires further testing before becoming a routine observational tool. The software and datasets have been made publicly available for further analysis.