A new study has revealed an unexpected phenomenon that could help unlock the secrets of solar filaments. Researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz, have found that the formation of these large structures of solar plasma is linked to an oscillation in the magnetic field that surrounds the Sun. This oscillation, known as the Alfvén wave, is believed to be a key factor in the formation of filaments, offering a new insight into the mechanisms that drive their creation. The findings could have implications for forecasting solar activity and predicting the potential for damaging space weather events.

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source: Phys.org