New telescope captures images of the Sun's magnetic field

The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K.

By capturing the first detailed maps of the Sun’s coronal magnetic field, scientists can now observe the outer atmosphere where solar storms and flares originate.

Previously, mapping was limited to the Sun's surface, but the world’s most powerful solar telescope has changed this.

Using an advanced technique called coronagraphy to create an artificial eclipse, the telescope detects magnetic signals a billion times fainter than the solar disk.

By analyzing spectral line splitting through the Zeeman Effect, researchers measure magnetic strength with incredible precision.

Recent images have even revealed tiny, swirling Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, which are crucial for understanding how magnetic energy is released as explosive events.

Just as we monitor Earth’s weather, mapping these invisible solar forces helps us protect critical infrastructure, including satellites, power grids, and GPS systems, from potential technological disruptions.

With its 4-meter aperture and high-resolution imaging, DKIST is shedding new light on the complex, powerful forces driving our solar system.