Mysterious Vortex Waves Discovered on The Sun Hint at New Solar Physics
A new type of high-frequency acoustic wave discovered propagating on the Sun seems to be defying expectations.
The waves appear on the surface of the Sun as a pattern of swirling vortices, moving against the Sun’s rotation. The problem is that these high-frequency retrograde vorticity waves seem to be moving three times faster than predicted by theory – and solar physicists have been unable to determine why.
The discovery, they say, suggests that there is new solar physics to be uncovered, as well as giving fresh insight into the Sun’s internal properties and activity.
