Part 5/6:
The Mechanics of Magnetic Reconnection and Solar Events
The giant helical structure observed is a product of a fascinating process known as magnetic reconnection. In this event, magnetic field lines break and reform, releasing explosive energy that can lead to massive solar phenomena, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can release billions of tons of plasma into space.
Additionally, this process generates smaller, constant jets that infuse energy into the corona, creating magnetic waves that propel plasma outward, contributing to the enigmatic solar wind. Just as NASA's Parker Solar Mission has deepened our understanding of the Sun, the Solar Orbiter is providing insight into the solar dynamics like never before.