Solar Orbiter solves magnetic switchback mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-eb8d41dd-1673-4240-8a70-d00d168ccd33 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google Solar Orbiter solves magnetic switchback mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-9aabc2dd-974f-4de3-9291-a35bde7d29f6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-50.3649696760685%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google According to a blog post from the European Space Agency, the Solar Orbiter probe achieved the first-ever remote sensing observation of a solar "switchback."

[{"selector":"#anim-d753cc03-1ad5-4ee7-8468-2fa6960034b6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.781249901585255%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google The mission's new findings provide fresh insight into a puzzling behaviour that had previously only been postulated.

[{"selector":"#anim-7c07a60a-1a46-4fd5-9bd8-591fd8090eb3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google It might contribute to the understanding of how solar wind is accelerated around the solar system.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce9f6428-90ce-4de4-98e5-55700671d75e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google The new observation, according to the ESA, is the "first indication of a switchback in the solar corona."

[{"selector":"#anim-39ca5b4c-9ff5-4296-9f57-b3dc39dd3335 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.16319072767762%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google was made with the METIS coronagraph instrument on board the Solar Orbiter.

[{"selector":"#anim-693f62ad-aa41-44c7-9016-cdc6d4405d34 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google Up until now, solar switchbacks have only been theorised.

[{"selector":"#anim-33659092-9bd8-43bc-8653-6981203dba14 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Credit by Google While it did not record any images, NASA's Parker Solar Probe, for instance, noticed sudden reversals in the magnetic field of the sun.