At the higher altitude of Earth, a huge wave passes through the atmosphere. This wave is commonly known as Rossby wave which is generated by the path of the jet stream. In a recent study, scientists have found that same kind of planetary waves could be found around the atmosphere of Sun.
In Earth or in other planets the wave is created by the rotation. But in the Sun, the same kind of Rossby waves are created by the formation of Sunspots. According to Scientific American, sunspots are created by the eruption of solar flares.
Lead researcher Scott McIntosh from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) said in a statement,“The discovery of magnetized Rossby waves on the Sun offers the tantalizing possibility that we can predict space weather much further in advance”. he explained that these waves also impacts on the weather of earth at the global perspective.
To observe the sun in different perspectives, NASA scientists conducted two space missions between 2011 and 2014. The first mission was conducted by Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in earlier 2011. they have sent a space probe which sits between the Sun and the Earth. Wired reported that during the second mission, Nasa's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (Stereo) sent two spacecraft to orbit the Sun.
However, finding Rossby-like waves in Sun is nothing exceptional because the sun also rotates in Milky Way Galaxy but, from Earth, it looks like a static object with naked eyes. SDO’s project scientist from Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Dean Pesnell explained that they have combined the results from all three satellites. This helped scientists to took the measure in all directions.
By analyzing the solar data, scientists trying to determine what is inside the Sun, how Sun’s magnetic field is generated, the formation of sunspots, solar storms and the origin of the Sun's solar cycle. Scientists are hopeful that understanding the waves would unlock much information about the origin of solar system.