Sun’s upper atmosphere rotates faster than its surface: study
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A study led by scientists from ARIES, an institute under the Department of Science and Technology, found that the Sun’s atmosphere spins faster than its visible surface, the Science Ministry said on 30 July 2026. The speed rises with height above the surface and dips slightly when sunspots increase. The findings should improve space weather models.
- Released
- 30 Jul 2026, Science and Technology Ministry
- Lead institute
- ARIES (autonomous, under DST)
- Partners
- Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO-PRL), Ahmednagar College
- Data
- Nobeyama Radioheliograph, Japan
- Method
- 2D image-correlation of solar images
- Journal
- Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters
The Sun’s atmospheric rotation: what happened?
A spinning skater who stretches out her arms slows down. That is conservation of angular momentum, and Earth’s atmosphere broadly follows it. So the Sun’s outer layers, being farther out, might be expected to spin slower. The study found the opposite.
- The Sun’s atmosphere rotates faster than the visible surface.
- Rotation speed increases with height above the surface.
- It slows slightly when solar activity, measured by sunspot numbers, is stronger.
- Images from two separate days were compared to measure the shift, which gave the rotation speed.
Why does it matter for Earth?
- Space weather from the Sun can affect satellites, communication systems, navigation networks and power grids.
- Better models of solar rotation help forecast such activity.
Why does the Sun’s atmospheric rotation matter?
- Science: Challenges what classical physics would expect.
- Space weather: Feeds into forecasts that protect satellites and grids.
What can Prelims ask on the Sun’s atmospheric rotation?
- ARIES: autonomous institute under DST.
- Nobeyama Radioheliograph: Japan.
- Finding: solar atmosphere rotates faster than the surface; speed rises with height.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-30): A study found the solar atmosphere spins faster than the visible surface, with speed increasing with height, refining space-weather models.
- Space weather affects satellites, GPS and power grids.
Quotable data pointA study found the solar atmosphere spins faster than the visible surface, with speed increasing with height, refining space-weather models.
PIB: S&T: faster rotation in Sun's upper atmosphere, 30 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: differential rotation; L1.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
ARIES, whose scientists studied the rotation of the Sun's atmosphere, is an autonomous institute under
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (S&T), 30 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What did the study find?
The Sun's atmosphere rotates faster than its visible surface, and faster at greater heights; it slows slightly when sunspots are more numerous.
Which instrument provided the data?
The Nobeyama Radioheliograph in Japan.
Why is this useful?
It helps refine models of solar activity and space weather, which can affect satellites, communication, navigation and power systems.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: S&T: faster rotation in Sun's upper atmosphere, 30 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending