Magnetic waves deep inside the sun reveal hidden forces driving solar activity

A research team at New York University Abu Dhabi has detected a new class of large-scale waves moving deep inside the sun, driven by magnetic fields operating far below its visible surface. Published in Nature Astronomy, the findings offer an unprecedented tool for studying how the sun’s magnetic field forms and evolves — with major implications for space-weather forecasting.

The sun’s interior: a dynamic ocean

The sun’s interior is a vast, dynamic ocean of hot, electrically charged gas shaped by rotation and powerful magnetic forces. These magnetic fields drive the solar cycle, sunspots, and eruptions capable of disrupting satellites, communications, and power grids on Earth. Until now, the magnetic behavior deep inside the sun remained largely hidden from direct observation.

Over a decade of solar vibrations

In the new study, researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Astrophysics and Space Science analyzed more than a decade of data on the sun’s natural vibrations. Their work revealed evidence for previously undetected, global-scale waves — known as magnetically modified Rossby waves — shaped by the sun’s internal magnetism. By measuring how these waves move, the team can infer the strength and structure of magnetic fields located far below the solar surface.

A window into the inaccessible

«These waves give us a unique look at the sun’s hidden magnetic system,» said Shravan Hanasoge, co-PI at the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science at NYU Abu Dhabi and lead author of the study. «Understanding these internal processes is crucial for predicting solar activity, which can impact satellites, communications, and power systems on Earth.»

Implications for space weather and beyond

The findings provide a new approach to studying the sun’s interior and its magnetic evolution over time. Beyond improving space-weather forecasting, this work may also shed light on magnetic activity in other stars throughout the universe.

Source: Shravan Hanasoge et al., «Evidence for global-scale magnetically modified Rossby waves in the Sun», Nature Astronomy (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-026-02794-w

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