Unsolved Mysteries of the Sun: Amazing Facts About Our Star

The Sun is not just a giant glowing ball that provides heat and life on Earth. It's a real laboratory of space, full of mysteries that scientists still cannot fully explain.

Here are some amazing facts that confirm: the Sun is far from as simple as it appears from Earth.

The solar corona is hotter than the surface

This is one of the most mysterious phenomena. The Sun's surface has a temperature of about 6 thousand degrees Celsius, but the corona - the outer atmosphere of the star - can heat up to several million degrees. Why a layer more distant from the core is much hotter is not fully clear to science.

The Sun "sings"

The star emits waves and vibrations similar to music, but not in a range audible to humans. These oscillations help scientists study the internal structure of the Sun - similar to how geologists study Earth through seismic waves.

Solar wind reaches other planets

The Sun constantly emits charged particles - this is the solar wind. It affects Earth's magnetosphere, causes the northern lights, and can disrupt satellites and power grids. But its influence is felt by other planets as well, even those far from Earth.

Sunspots are not just "spots"

These dark areas on the Sun's surface are places with lower temperature and high magnetic activity. Their appearance is associated with the 11-year solar activity cycle. Interestingly, the number of spots can affect Earth's climate.

The Sun can "flare up"

Solar flares are powerful energy releases that can occur in a matter of minutes. Sometimes they are so strong that disruptions in radio communications and navigation systems are recorded on Earth. These flares can also affect human health, especially in polar regions.

The Sun is not eternal

Although the star will shine for another 5 billion years, on cosmic scales this is already half of its life. In the future, the Sun will turn into a red giant, and then into a white dwarf. This evolutionary path is characteristic of medium-sized stars.

Solar mysteries are being investigated right now

Space missions such as the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter are approaching the Sun at minimal distances to solve the mysteries of the solar wind, flares, and atmospheric structure. These spacecraft are already transmitting unique data that is changing our understanding of the Sun.

The Sun is a powerful star without which life on Earth would not exist. But the more we learn about it, the more new questions arise. Perhaps humanity has yet to make the most astonishing discoveries about the Sun.