The Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable milestone by capturing detailed images of magnetic structures near the Sun, including what scientists are calling “tadpoles.” These magnetic formations, which can extend tens of thousands of kilometers, were observed during the probe’s closest approach in December 2024, approximately 4 million miles from the Sun’s surface. This distance, while seemingly vast, places the probe inside the Sun’s atmosphere, allowing for unprecedented observations of solar phenomena.
In a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, lead author Angelos Vourlidas from Johns Hopkins University described three significant findings from this encounter. The first was the confirmation of the magnetic “tadpoles,” small dark shapes in magnetic loops that appear to swim back toward the Sun. These structures represent parts of a magnetic loop that breaks apart, sending energy toward the Sun while other portions disperse into space, forming what resembles a tadpole’s tail.
The second major discovery involved the Heliospheric Current Sheet (HCS), an electrical boundary that separates the Sun’s north and south magnetic fields. During the probe’s observations, part of this sheet was stretched and subsequently ripped apart, an event described as “tearing-mode instability.” This phenomenon resembles the way a flag reacts to strong winds, providing scientists with a rare opportunity to observe a process they have often simulated but rarely seen in action.
One particularly noteworthy event was the rapid expansion of a tadpole-like structure, which grew at a speed of 5,000 km/minute for over two hours, ultimately expanding by more than 185 times its size before fading away.
The final notable observation involved the “birth” of in/out pairs, where a single magnetic structure in the Sun’s corona was pinched and separated into two segments. One segment was drawn back toward the Sun, while the other shot away at an estimated speed of 560 km/s. This speed exceeded previous models’ predictions, and understanding this “pinch off” process is crucial for scientists studying solar storms and their impact on Earth, particularly during coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
The Parker Solar Probe’s primary mission officially concluded in June, but it will continue to orbit the Sun, reaching perihelion approximately four times annually until it exhausts its fuel. This ongoing mission promises to yield more vivid images and data about our solar neighbor, marking a significant achievement in humanity’s quest to understand the Sun better.
As noted by Vourlidas, these discoveries represent not only a leap in solar physics but also showcase human ingenuity in exploring the cosmos. The probe’s contributions will undoubtedly enhance current models and deepen our understanding of solar dynamics, ultimately serving as a testament to the advancements made in space exploration.
