Sun reveals plasma vortices and approaches magnetic pole reversal

Astronomers have identified thousands of previously unseen plasma mini-vortices on the Sun's surface. Using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, researchers captured high-resolution images revealing structures only about twenty kilometers wide. These vortices are caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, occurring when layers of matter move at different speeds, potentially explaining why the Sun's atmosphere is significantly hotter than its surface.

Additionally, the Sun is expected to undergo a magnetic pole reversal during the summer of 2026. This 11-year cycle involves the magnetic north and south poles swapping positions. During this transition, solar activity typically intensifies, characterized by the appearance of sunspots and solar storms involving plasma eruptions that can impact Earth's technology.