Unraveling the Mystery of the Sun's Scorching Outer Atmosphere

Scientists have discovered that weak but steady waves, known as low amplitude decayless kink oscillations, may explain the extreme heat in the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. These waves, which do not decay in strength over multiple cycles, vibrate in the same direction and are likely associated with long-duration flows on the solar surface. The findings suggest that energy from the sun's surface can reach the corona and heat it, providing important insights into the long-standing question of what heats the sun's outer atmosphere.