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Unprecedented images may explain one of greatest mysteries of the sun

The Guardian UK Wednesday 05 August 2026, 15:00 UTC By Ian Sample Science editor 1 min read
Key Points

Highest-ever resolution pictures of our star could help show why its corona is millions of degrees hotter than its surfaceGolden bands and swirling vortices have been spotted on the sun in the most detailed images ever captured of the turbulent surface of our home star. Astronomers observed the sun with the Inouye solar telescope in Hawaii, the world’s most powerful solar telescope, and saw new features smaller than 20km (12 miles) across in a magnetically active region close to a sun spot.

Highest-ever resolution pictures of our star could help show why its corona is millions of degrees hotter than its surface

Golden bands and swirling vortices have been spotted on the sun in the most detailed images ever captured of the turbulent surface of our home star.

Astronomers observed the sun with the Inouye solar telescope in Hawaii, the world’s most powerful solar telescope, and saw new features smaller than 20km (12 miles) across in a magnetically active region close to a sun spot.

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Inouye (PERSON) Hawaii (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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