Sun's 'lighthouse' pulses captured on camera for the first time
Sun’s exotic solar activity has finally been captured by scientists on camera. A study of these photographs proves what scientists have long theorised—plasma, which makes up most of the Sun, sends out radio light in pulses, like a lighthouse flashing its beam on Earth.
Plasma is the “fourth stage of matter” after solid, liquid and gas. It exists in abundance in space, but rarely on Earth, which makes it difficult to study. Even then, study of plasma is of great significance. It could help engineers build nuclear-fusion plants, that could become a more sustainable and efficient form of energy.
"Nuclear fusion is a different type of nuclear energy generation that fuses plasma atoms together, as opposed to breaking them apart like fission does. Fusion is more stable and safer, and it doesn't require highly radioactive fuel. In fact, much of the waste material from fusion is inert helium.Peter Gallagher, a senior professor at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
As marvellous as the Sun’s activities look, they could give invaluable insights to scientists to build a more sustainable power source that lasts for a longer time. It wouldn’t be the sun on the planet, but harnessing its energy would still require decades of research and testing. Read more about study of Sun’s plasma and its potential here.
