Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: Rick on Apr 20, 2007, 13:46:45

Title: 'Pipe organ' plays above the Sun
Post by: Rick on Apr 20, 2007, 13:46:45
Immense coils of hot, electrified gas in the Sun's atmosphere behave like a musical instrument, scientists say.

These "coronal loops" carry acoustic waves in much the same way that sound is carried through a pipe organ.

Solar explosions called micro-flares generate sound booms which are then propagated along the coronal loops.

More:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6574059.stm