Plasma Loops

Plasma Loops : Recently, a team of Indian and international astronomers detected tiny, short-lived plasma loops in the lower layers of the Sun’s atmosphere. This discovery could offer crucial insights into one of solar science’s longstanding mysteries — how the Sun stores and explosively releases magnetic energy.

• About Plasma Loops : These loops are 3,000–4,000 km long but less than 100 km wide, making them hard to detect.

o The loops last only a few minutes, making them difficult to observe.

o Despite their size, they provide important insights into solar magnetic energy storage and release.

o First Clear Detection in H-alpha Line: Loops were observed as bright arcs in the redder part of the H-alpha spectral line (used to study the chromosphere). Seen clearly for the first time in this part of the spectrum.

o Observations were made using: Goode Solar Telescope (BBSO), NASA’s IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph) and NASA’s SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory)

- These tools helped capture loop behavior in visible, UV, and extreme-UV wavelengths.