NSF’s DKIST Captures Sharpest-Ever Images of Fine Solar Magnetic Striations

Using the NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, scientists have captured the most detailed views of the Sun’s surface ever recorded. The new observations reveal ultra-narrow magnetic striations only 20 kilometers wide, etched into solar granules. These light and dark bands reflect subtle variations in magnetic field strength. Researchers say the patterns serve as "fingerprints" of fine-scale magnetism, vital for understanding solar eruptions and forecasting space weather. With its 4-meter aperture, DKIST is the world's most powerful solar telescope, unlocking new layers of the Sun’s magnetic complexity.

Tech