The highest resolution image of the Sun’s surface ever taken

In summary, the conversation discusses the first images produced by the National Science Foundation's newest solar telescope. The images reveal previously unseen bright markers of magnetic fields in the dark lanes of the solar atmosphere, which are thought to play a role in the extreme heat of the corona. It is impressive that these bright spots can be detected in the cooled plasma sinking down in the distance.
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lomidrevo
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TL;DR Summary
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has produced the highest resolution image of the Sun’s surface ever taken. In this picture taken at 789nm, we can see features as small as 30km (18 miles) in size for the first time ever.
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Very cool. Thanks for posting.
 
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phinds said:
Very cool. Thanks for posting.

I especially like this part:
In these dark lanes we can also see the tiny, bright markers of magnetic fields. Never before seen to this clarity, these bright specks are thought to channel energy up into the outer layers of the solar atmosphere called the corona. These bright spots may be at the core of why the solar corona is more than a million degrees!
Amazing that we can distinguish these bright spots in the dark lanes, where the cooled plasma sinks down.
 
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Distance Perspective:

Screen Shot 2020-02-01 at 9.48.44 AM.png
 
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1. What is the highest resolution image of the Sun's surface ever taken?

The highest resolution image of the Sun's surface ever taken was captured by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) in Hawaii in January 2020.

2. How was the image captured?

The image was captured using the DKIST's state-of-the-art adaptive optics system, which corrects for atmospheric distortions to provide a clear view of the Sun's surface.

3. What makes this image different from previous images of the Sun?

This image has a resolution of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) per pixel, which is the highest resolution ever achieved for solar images. Previous images had a resolution of around 50-100 kilometers per pixel.

4. What can we learn from this high-resolution image of the Sun's surface?

This image allows scientists to study the Sun's surface in unprecedented detail, revealing features such as tiny magnetic structures and plasma flows that were previously invisible. It can also help us better understand the processes that drive solar activity and space weather.

5. Will we be able to capture even higher resolution images of the Sun in the future?

Yes, as technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will be able to capture even higher resolution images of the Sun in the future. The DKIST is just one example of the cutting-edge instruments being developed for solar observations.

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