Scientists have captured the most detailed images ever taken of the Sun's surface, revealing extraordinary patterns and powerful activity hidden from Earth. Using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, researchers observed rare swirling structures linked to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability.

The discovery was made while testing the telescope's advanced capabilities, surprising scientists who described the images as unlike anything they had seen before. These observations could help researchers better understand how the Sun works, its changing activity, and its impact on Earth.

Scientists Capture Unprecedented Images of Sun's Surface | Never-Before-Seen Solar Activity Revealed

<p>NASA's Parker Solar Probe has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first spacecraft to fly through a&nbsp;coronal mass ejection (CME) directly from the sun — a colossal eruption which expels billions of tonnes of plasma.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Closest to the sun'</strong></h2>

<p>The audacious probe that was launched in August 2018 now holds the distinction of being the closest human-made craft to the sun.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per a Forbes report, NASA's Parker Solar Probe spent two days at a mere 5.7 million miles (9.2 million kilometres) from the sun's scorching surface.</p>

<p>To&nbsp;better understand the accomplishment, let's put it into context. Mercury, the nearest planet to the sun, is located roughly 23 million miles (37 million kilometres) from the blazing star. Our planet, Earth, is at a more comfortable distance, a staggering 93 million miles (150 million kilometres).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/high-five-for-isros-slingshot-technique-as-aditya-l1-leaves-earth-orbit-for-its-destination-637459">High-five for ISRO's 'slingshot technique' as Aditya-L1 leaves Earth's orbit for its destination</a></strong></p>

<p>On 22 September 2022, the Solar Parker probe passed right through the CME. This feat was revealed in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal.</p>

<p>You can watch the fascinating video of its journey here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another first! Our Parker Solar Probe flew through an eruption from the Sun, and saw it “vacuuming up” space dust left over from the formation of the solar system. It's giving <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASun</a> scientists a better look at space weather and its potential effects on Earth.… <a href="https://t.co/AcwLXOlI6m">pic.twitter.com/AcwLXOlI6m</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1703898589842313300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per Nour Raouafu, a Parker Solar Probe project scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, "This is the closest to the sun we’ve ever observed a CME."</p>

<p>"We've never seen an event of this magnitude at this distance," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>What exactly is a CME?</strong></h2>

<p>Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are huge expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun. These are often formed in the wake of solar flares.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both phenomena, as per Forbes, trace their origins to "the twisting and realignment" of the sun's magnetic field.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/experiments-on-astronaut-mice-prove-humanity-has-a-chance-to-land-on-mars-637493">Experiments on astronaut mice prove humanity has a chance to land on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>When directed toward Earth, a CME can induce geomagnetic storms capable of reshaping our planet's magnetic field, and can create mesmerising auroras.</p>

<p>However, severe CMEs also have the potential to jeopardise satellites, disrupt communication systems, and unleash widespread power blackouts.</p>

<h2><strong>What did the Parker probe observe during its perilous journey?</strong></h2>

<p>During this momentous journey, the Parker probe detected particles hurtling at speeds of up to 840 miles (1,350 kilometres) per second, akin to the ferocity of the most potent solar storm ever recorded—the Carrington Event in 1859.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fortuitously, the CME that the Parker Solar Probe travelled through was on the sun's far side and not directed toward Earth. If it was directed at our planet, it would've caused quite a few potential disruptions that could incur economic losses, estimated at over $41.5 billion per day in the United States alone.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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NASA's Parker Solar Probe has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first spacecraft to fly through a coronal mass ejection (CME) directly from the sun — a colossal eruption which expels billions of tonnes of plasma.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first spacecraft to fly through a coronal mass ejection (CME) directly from the sun — a colossal eruption which expels billions of tonnes of plasma. 'Closest to the sun' The audacious probe that was launched in August 2018 now holds the distinction of being the closest human-made craft to the sun. As per a Forbes report, NASA's Parker Solar Probe spent two days at a mere 5.7 million miles (9.2 million kilometres) from the sun's scorching surface. To better understand the accomplishment, let's put it into context. Mercury, the nearest planet to the sun, is located roughly 23 million miles (37 million kilometres) from the blazing star. Our planet, Earth, is at a more comfortable distance, a staggering 93 million miles (150 million kilometres). Also read | High-five for ISRO's 'slingshot technique' as Aditya-L1 leaves Earth's orbit for its destination On 22 September 2022, the Solar Parker probe passed right through the CME. This feat was revealed in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal. You can watch the fascinating video of its journey here: Another first! Our Parker Solar Probe flew through an eruption from the Sun, and saw it “vacuuming up” space dust left over from the formation of the solar system. It's giving @NASASun scientists a better look at space weather and its potential effects on Earth.… pic.twitter.com/AcwLXOlI6m — NASA (@NASA) September 18, 2023 × As per Nour Raouafu, a Parker Solar Probe project scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, "This is the closest to the sun we’ve ever observed a CME." "We've never seen an event of this magnitude at this distance," he added. What exactly is a CME? Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are huge expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun. These are often formed in the wake of solar flares. Both phenomena, as per Forbes, trace their origins to "the twisting and realignment" of the sun's magnetic field. Also read | Experiments on astronaut mice prove humanity has a chance to land on Mars When directed toward Earth, a CME can induce geomagnetic storms capable of reshaping our planet's magnetic field, and can create mesmerising auroras. However, severe CMEs also have the potential to jeopardise satellites, disrupt communication systems, and unleash widespread power blackouts. What did the Parker probe observe during its perilous journey? During this momentous journey, the Parker probe detected particles hurtling at speeds of up to 840 miles (1,350 kilometres) per second, akin to the ferocity of the most potent solar storm ever recorded—the Carrington Event in 1859. Fortuitously, the CME that the Parker Solar Probe travelled through was on the sun's far side and not directed toward Earth. If it was directed at our planet, it would've caused quite a few potential disruptions that could incur economic losses, estimated at over $41.5 billion per day in the United States alone. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe gets 'closest' to Sun, spends two days in solar storm. Watch

<p>A stunning image showing exquisite details of the Sun's surface has been released by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is taken&nbsp;by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii. The image shows the Sun's chromosphere, which is the layer of its atmosphere just above its surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NSF said that the first images of the chromosphere were taken with the world's most powerful solar telescope, which is located on land of spiritual and cultural significance to the Native Hawaiian people, on June 3, 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It further noted that the image showed a region 82,500 kilometres across at a resolution of 18km. This image is taken at 486.13 nanometers using the hydrogen-beta line from the Balmer series.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NSF said that the telescope is close to the completion of the first year of its Operations Commissioning Phase (OCP), and it is delivering on its promise to reveal the Sun in ways the world has never seen before.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-china-as-beijing-eyes-same-landing-sites-near-moons-south-pole-as-us-514150">NASA warns China as Beijing eyes same landing sites near Moon's south pole as US</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A delegation of <a href="https://twitter.com/NSF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSF</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/AURADC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AURADC</a> leaders, congressional dignitaries, and members of the scientific and Native Hawaiian communities recently commemorated the inauguration of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InouyeSolarTelescope?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InouyeSolarTelescope</a> - including the release of two new images of our Sun! <a href="https://t.co/dsTzFWZnkp">https://t.co/dsTzFWZnkp</a></p>
— NatlSolarObservatory (@NatSolarObs) <a href="https://twitter.com/NatSolarObs/status/1567332065728659458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rocky-earth-like-exoplanets-discovered-in-habitable-zone-around-dim-red-dwarf-star-514131">Rocky Earth-like exoplanets discovered in habitable zone around dim red dwarf star</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The National Science Foundation (NSF) also added that the images and data produced by Inouye Solar Telescope will write the next chapters of solar physics research.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NSF Director, Sethuraman Panchanathan said, "NSF's Inouye Solar Telescope is the world's most powerful solar telescope that will forever change the way we explore and understand our sun. Its insights will transform how our nation, and the planet, predict and prepare for events like solar storms."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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A stunning image showing exquisite details of the Sun's surface has been released by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii.

A stunning image showing exquisite details of the Sun's surface has been released by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii. The image shows the Sun's chromosphere, which is the layer of its atmosphere just above its surface. NSF said that the first images of the chromosphere were taken with the world's most powerful solar telescope, which is located on land of spiritual and cultural significance to the Native Hawaiian people, on June 3, 2022. It further noted that the image showed a region 82,500 kilometres across at a resolution of 18km. This image is taken at 486.13 nanometers using the hydrogen-beta line from the Balmer series. The NSF said that the telescope is close to the completion of the first year of its Operations Commissioning Phase (OCP), and it is delivering on its promise to reveal the Sun in ways the world has never seen before. ALSO READ | NASA warns China as Beijing eyes same landing sites near Moon's south pole as US A delegation of @NSF & @AURADC leaders, congressional dignitaries, and members of the scientific and Native Hawaiian communities recently commemorated the inauguration of the #InouyeSolarTelescope - including the release of two new images of our Sun! https://t.co/dsTzFWZnkp — NatlSolarObservatory (@NatSolarObs) September 7, 2022 × ALSO READ | Rocky Earth-like exoplanets discovered in habitable zone around dim red dwarf star The National Science Foundation (NSF) also added that the images and data produced by Inouye Solar Telescope will write the next chapters of solar physics research. NSF Director, Sethuraman Panchanathan said, "NSF's Inouye Solar Telescope is the world's most powerful solar telescope that will forever change the way we explore and understand our sun. Its insights will transform how our nation, and the planet, predict and prepare for events like solar storms." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World's most powerful solar telescope captures stunning image of Sun's surface, shows its exquisite details

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Scientists Capture Unprecedented Images of Sun's Surface | Never-Before-Seen Solar Activity Revealed

NASA's Parker Solar Probe gets 'closest' to Sun, spends two days in solar storm. Watch

World's most powerful solar telescope captures stunning image of Sun's surface, shows its exquisite details