An international team of solar physicists has traced vast plasma tides beneath the Sun's surface within the near-surface shear layer (NSSL) in April 2025. These dynamic flows shift with the Sun's magnetic activity and could significantly influence space weather, impacting satellites and communication networks.
The near-surface shear layer (NSSL), approximately 35,000 km beneath the surface, is where rotational dynamics change dramatically. Researchers used helioseismology to study the Sun's "inner weather," analyzing data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and the National Solar Observatory's Global Oscillations Network Group.
Surface plasma flows converge toward sunspot latitudes but reverse direction halfway through the NSSL, forming large-scale circulation cells. The Coriolis force shapes these plasma movements, influencing the Sun's rotational dynamics. Understanding these flows is crucial for predicting solar activity and its impact on Earth's technologies, potentially aiding in the development of models to safeguard critical infrastructure.