International astronomers capture highest-resolution Sun image using Hawaii telescope; reveal 20km-wide plasma vortices caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities that may explain solar atmosphere heating.

Astronomers capture highest-resolution image ever of the Sun's surface – Physics World

Solar swirls The spectacular image was taken by the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope based in Hawaii. (Courtesy: NSF/NSO/AURA/MPS) An international team of astronomers has released the highest-resolution image ever captured of the Sun’s visible surface. Taken by the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, the picture reveals tiny plasma whirlpool-like patterns that have never been seen before (Nature doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10871-3). The Sun’s visible surface – the photosphere – is a thin layer...