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Why Is the Sun's Corona Hotter Than Its Surface?

💡 The Answer

  • The Sun's corona reaches millions of degrees while the surface is only about 5,500°C, a puzzling temperature inversion.
  • Scientists believe magnetic reconnection releases energy as nanoflares, heating the corona to extreme temperatures.
  • Plasma waves traveling along magnetic fields may also transfer energy from the Sun's interior to the corona.
  • This mystery remains one of the biggest unsolved problems in solar physics and space weather research.

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