NASA's supercomputers are unlocking secrets of complex solar phenomena, providing unprecedented detail and insights into the dynamics of the Sun. Researchers are utilizing data from active spacecraft to create realistic models of solar plasma, simulating various observable events.
The work, conducted by a team led by Irina Kitiashvili from NASA's Ames Research Center, showcases the power of turbulent movements within the Sun's interior, where materials swirl in its atmosphere. "Our simulations use a realistic approach, incorporating everything we know about solar plasma to reproduce various phenomena observed during space missions," Kitiashvili explained.
For the first time, the team has recreated fine structures of the subsurface layer, observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. However, Kitiashvili noted, "We currently lack the computational resources to create realistic global models of the entire Sun. Therefore, we focus on smaller areas or layers that can reveal structures of the solar surface and atmosphere, such as shock waves or tornado-like objects just a few miles wide. These details are much finer than any spacecraft can resolve."
Understanding solar dynamics is crucial for predicting space weather, which impacts seasons, ocean currents, climate, radiation belts, auroras, and more. Accurate space weather forecasts are vital for ensuring the safety of astronauts and spacecraft, particularly within NASA's Artemis program.
This year, the Sun has been notably active, featuring events such as an annular eclipse, a total eclipse, and reaching solar maximum. In December 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will approach the Sun, becoming the closest man-made object to our star.
Simulations were conducted on the Pleiades supercomputer at NASA's Ames Supercomputing Center over several weeks, resulting in terabytes of data that will aid scientists in better understanding our star and its influence on the space environment.