NEW WAVE

New clues to the way the sun affects our planet have emerged for the first time. So-called Alfvén waves - energy-producing oscillations shooting away from the sun ten times faster than the speed of sound - have been detected by a US team. The waves have never been observed within the sun's atmosphere before.

They are important because they can give clues as to the effect of solar storms, which disrupt communications on Earth.


Home

Science Home


Last Updated: 9th September 2007