Mysterious Shadows Revealed How Earth Is Connected to The Sun, Stuns Scientists

A study of surprising findings into how the Earth is magnetically connected with the Sun, reported by MIT News, may prove to be more superficial than hitherto believed. Whereas the Sun's magnetic field—which dictates everything from sunspot formation to solar flares—was thought to be generated by the star's deep interior, new research indicates it might be created much closer to the Sun's surface.
Impressive plasma filaments spotted today on the Sun.
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) May 21, 2024
These magnetic field structure extending outward from the surface are approximately the same order of magnitude of planet Earth's diameter.pic.twitter.com/jDiHf4dgII
In February 2013, astronomers witnessed the rare spectacle of a sunspot coming into view in less than 48 hours and growing to be larger than six Earth diameters across, according to Science Alert. This event, along with several other recent studies, is helping scientists toward a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between Earth and its life-giving host star. "The features we see when looking at the sun, like the corona that many people saw during the recent solar eclipse, sunspots, and solar flares, are all associated with the sun's magnetic field," said Keaton Burns, a research scientist in MIT's Department of Mathematics. The simulations revealed that the perturbations in just the top 5–10% of the Sun's surface layers could create magnetic structures similar to those observed on the Sun.
The story of this understanding of the solar-terrestrial relationship goes back centuries. In 1600, William Gilbert, physician to Queen Elizabeth I of England, first described Earth as a giant magnet. Later, American astrophysicist, George Ellery Hale, discovered with polarized light that portions of the Sun had magnetic fields running several thousand times stronger than Earth—especially in darker areas on the Sun known as sunspots.
Here's a detailed look at the violent active region on the sun that has continued to flare for several weeks now. This was captured from my backyard just a few moments ago. This Sunspot is now Earth facing- so any CMEs produced are more likely to impact Earth's magnetosphere. pic.twitter.com/xjtoECXUh2
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) June 2, 2024
One turning point came in 1859, when the wealthy brewery owner and amateur astronomer, Richard Carrington, witnessed something that would later be called the Carrington Event: while making sketches of sunspots, he watched in wonder as one suddenly turned from darkness into light—a rare solar flare that would send spectacular auroras dancing across the globe and blow fuses and even set fires in telegraph systems, according to The Conversation.
My 3rd consecutive day watching this now-famous sunspot as it swings back to be Earth facing. This is a timelapse video I recorded over a period of roughly 90 minutes- you can watch how the sped-up plasma dances like flames…. Except the “flames” are larger than Earth. pic.twitter.com/1J2XL9zY6q
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) May 29, 2024
The current solar cycle, known as Cycle 25, is proving to be more intense than predicted. Scientists have observed that when the magnetism of active regions around sunspots creates gas clouds directed toward Earth, they can unleash powerful magnetic storms. These storms store energy on Earth's nightside, resulting in spectacular auroral displays. The research by the team at MIT has particularly significant implications for space weather prediction. The payoff to that work could be important, if the Sun's magnetic field does originate near its surface rather than deep inside, scientists may have a better chance of predicting potentially dangerous solar events that might affect satellites and telecommunications systems.

This new understanding of magnetic processes at the Sun comes at an appropriate time now that people have been experiencing what was an unexpectedly very large peak for sunspot numbers over the last ten months. Moreover, experts anticipate that intense magnetic storms, like last May's attack in 2024, may now continue for almost two years at a time—events that somehow combine beauty with danger but enthrall even the scientists looking to unravel puzzles of the closest star.