Scientists discover strange changes happening inside the Sun

Scientists at the University of Birmingham say they have uncovered hidden changes happening deep inside the Sun — in what researchers are calling a major breakthrough in understanding how the star behaves.

The study, led by Professor Bill Chaplin, found the Sun’s magnetic activity has gradually become more concentrated closer to its surface over the past four solar cycles.

Researchers say the findings could eventually help improve predictions of “space weather” — solar activity that can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, mobile phone signals and even power grids on Earth.

Professor Chaplin told Hits Radio the Sun has its own “active biorhythm” which changes over an 11-year cycle.

“The amount of magnetic activity varies on an 11-year timescale,” he said.

“This affects us here on Earth because as the Sun’s activity waxes and wanes, it produces varying amounts of highly charged particles.

“These give rise to things like the Northern Lights, but they can also impact things like global communication, phone reception and power grids.”

The breakthrough came after researchers analysed almost 40 years of data collected through the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network — known as BiSON — a unique global network of telescopes led by the University.

Professor Chaplin said the study would not have been possible without decades of observations.

“The longevity of this data is unique,” he said.

“This study was only possible using our data.”

Researchers study the Sun using a process called helioseismology — effectively “listening” to sound waves trapped inside the Sun.

Professor Chaplin compared the process to a musical instrument.

“The Sun breathes gently in and out,” he explained.

“It resonates just like a musical instrument.

“We can’t literally listen to the sound, but by measuring these gentle pulsations of the Sun, we get all the information from the sound waves trapped inside it.”

Scientists say this allows them to build what is effectively an “ultrasound scan” of the Sun’s interior.

The team discovered that the magnetic field beneath the Sun’s surface appears to have been getting “scrunched up closer and closer” to the surface over recent decades.

“That suggests something is happening to the mechanism that’s regenerating the field and driving this cyclic activity,” Professor Chaplin said.

Researchers now hope the findings could feed into future predictions about the strength of upcoming solar cycles and the likelihood of major space weather events.

“Our work could potentially feed into being able to predict whether the next 11-year cycle might be weaker or stronger than the current cycle,” Professor Chaplin said.

“That would have implications for the frequency of events that might affect things like people using their mobile phones.”

The research also helps explain why the Northern Lights have recently been visible from parts of the UK.

“We’ve had events over the last few years where we’ve been able to see the Northern Lights from the UK,” he said.

“That’s because we’ve been at a time when the Sun is very active.”

Professor Chaplin said researchers had suspected for years that the Sun’s behaviour may be changing — but were surprised by how strong the evidence became once newer data was analysed.

“The fact we were able to find such a strong result was not something we would have anticipated,” he said.

“In that sense, it’s a pleasing result when you find things you’re not expecting to find. I guess that’s science.”

The findings are now expected to feed into further international research and modelling to better understand what is driving the changes inside the Sun.

Professor Chaplin also encouraged people to visit Helios — a large illuminated artwork of the Sun currently on display at The Exchange in Birmingham city centre.

“It’s a fantastically striking piece of artwork that links directly to the science we’ve been talking about today,” he said.