A study suggests that a closer-than-expected magnetic field of the sun could enhance solar storm predictions.

• Recent studies indicate that the sun's magnetic field originates 20,000 miles beneath its surface, which is closer than the previously believed 130,000 miles.
• This discovery could improve predictions of extreme solar storms.
• Solar flares and coronal mass ejections, caused by the sun's magnetic energy, can result in auroras and disruptions of power and communications on Earth.

Recent research suggests that the sun's magnetic field originates closer to its surface than previously believed, which could aid in predicting extreme solar storms, such as those that hit Earth this month.

An international team reported Wednesday that the magnetic field beneath the sun's surface generates 20,000 miles of roots, which are more than 130,000 miles below the previous calculations.

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections are caused by the sun's powerful magnetic energy. These events can produce beautiful auroras when aimed at Earth, but they can also cause disruptions in power and communication systems.

Geoffrey Vasil of the University of Edinburgh stated in an email that despite our knowledge of the sun, we are not yet able to make precise predictions about space weather.

The publication of the latest findings in the journal Nature will be a crucial step in resolving the enigmatic solar dynamo process, according to co-author Daniel Lecoanet of Northwestern University.

In the early 1600s, Galileo was one of the first astronomers to use a telescope to observe sunspots, which are dark patches on the sun as big as Earth that are situated near the most intense parts of the sun's magnetic field. It is now known that solar flares and coronal mass ejections often occur near sunspots.

The team led by Vasil created new models of the sun's magnetic field and plasma flow at different latitudes during an 11-year cycle. They fed their calculations into a NASA supercomputer in Northern California, which was also used in "The Martian" movie to verify the best flight path. The results indicated a shallow magnetic field, and further research is necessary to confirm this.

Ellen Zweibel, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who was not involved in the modeling process, stated in an accompanying editorial that the modeling was "highly simplified."

The findings are fascinating and will likely motivate future research, according to Zweibel.

The recent flareups of the sun are due to its approaching peak level of activity in the current 11-year cycle, which will improve long-term solar forecasts and enable scientists to better predict the strength of our star's future cycles.

In the past month, intense solar flares and plasma outbursts caused significant solar storms, resulting in auroras in unusual locations. Last week, the sun emitted the largest solar flare in nearly two decades, but it avoided Earth.

A better understanding of the sun can help us prepare for potentially more dangerous storms that may hit Earth in the future, according to Lecoanet.