News Astronomy

The Parker Solar Probe may have spotted the origin of high-speed solar winds

Kinky magnetic fields near the surface of the sun power the winds’ blasts of gas

An illustration of the Parker Solar Probe heading towards the sun with orange light streaks shooting around it.

The Parker Solar Probe spacecraft dives into the sun’s atmosphere (illustrated) to study the origins of solar flares and other solar activity.

NASA

By James R. Riordon

A spacecraft plunging into the sun’s atmosphere has revealed the likely source of powerful blasts of plasma in fast solar winds.

Far from the sun, the solar wind is a nebulous, turbulent plasma.