Researchers at the University of Warwicks Department of Physics have gained insight into the mysterious giant dark "tadpoles" that appear to swim towards the surface of the Sun during solar flares – enormous energy releases happening in the atmosphere of the Sun.
The tadpoles – colossal physical structures with dark heads and attendant wiggly tails that seem to swim sunwards against tides of hot matter being thrown away from the Sun during flares – have puzzled astrophysicists for several years, as they are so unlike any other phenomena observed on the Sun.
University of Warwick researchers Dr Valery Nakariakov and Dr Erwin Verwichte believe they have managed to understand the physics of this process. They analysed observations obtained with NASAs “Transition Region And Coronal Explorer” (TRACE) space mission and put forward the idea that the wiggles of the tadpoles’ tails are huge waves – similar to the flying of flags in the wind - though, these solar wiggles are several times larger than the Earth. The scientists think that the waves are produced by a peculiar physical mechanism known as "negative energy waves", when waves suck energy from the medium they propagate through.
The understanding of the wiggles allowed the researchers to conclude that the tadpoles themselves are not material features, but optical illusions, as the solar matter is not falling down but is being continuously thrown upwards. The apparently descending tadpole head marks the falling start point of the matters upward acceleration
Peter Dunn | Source: alphagalileo
Further information: www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/NE100000010243/
More articles from Physics and Astronomy:
Better way to harness waste heat
20.11.2009 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NIST Demonstrates ‘Universal’ Programmable Quantum Processor
20.11.2009 | National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Scientists Unravel Evolution of Highly Toxic Box Jellyfish
20.11.2009 | Life Sciences
When good companies do bad things: Examining illegal corporate behavior
20.11.2009 | Business and Finance
UCR plant scientist's research spawns new discoveries showing how crops survive drought
20.11.2009 | Agricultural and Forestry Science
Multidisciplinary meeting on Urological Cancers aims to benefit cancer patients
20.11.2009 | Event News
'Golden Age' for clinical psychology in Northern Ireland
20.11.2009 | Event News
New Perspectives in Marine Anti-Fouling Research
11.11.2009 | Event News