Listening to the Sun

The Parker Solar Probe’s FIELDS instrument can eavesdrop on the electric and magnetic fluctuations caused by the charged particles and plasma waves in the solar wind emitted by the Sun. It can “hear” when the waves and particles interact with one another, recording frequency and amplitude variations, resulting in some weird sounds.

Video Credit: NASA / JHUAPL

A THEMIS Report

A thin layer of cold, dense material called the plasmasphere surrounds Earth. Researchers using data from THEMIS have found that material in the plasmasphere can help prevent particles from the sun crossing into near Earth space.plasmasphereThe THEMIS mission observed how dense particles normally near Earth in a layer of the uppermost atmosphere called the plasmasphere can send a plume up through space to help protect against incoming solar particles during certain space weather events.Themis_plumeImage Credits: NASA