New tools to study the Sun’s magnetic field

Boucles magnétiques sur le Soleil (Photo : Nasa) - The Astrophysical Spectropolarimetry research project, led by Renzo Ramelli of the USI-affiliated Istituto ricerche solari Aldo e Cele Daccò (IRSOL), has been approved by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The project aims to study the evolution and structure of the solar magnetic field, focusing on the formation of solar flares using modern equipment and innovative observation techniques. Researchers from SUPSI, the FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz) and the KIS (Leibnitz-Institut für Sonnenphysik) are also participating in the project as partners. Renzo Ramelli, what does the project consist of? The research project will be conducted by IRSOL's observational research group in collaboration with the other two groups dedicated to the theory and numerical simulations. The solar magnetic field will be studied using high-precision spectro-polarimetric observations that make it possible to trace the structure of the solar magnetic field in detail, establish its evolution and validate the theoretical models of the solar atmosphere developed in current research. This allows a better understanding of manifestations of solar activity, such as the eleven-year solar cycle, flares or coronal mass ejections, in which magnetism plays a fundamental role. The phenomena studied can lead to the formation of solar storms, which, if particularly intense, can significantly impact the functioning of our technologies, interrupting radio telecommunications, damaging exposed electronic equipment and creating blackouts in electricity distribution networks. What are the objectives of the study?