Archive · 22 Jan 2026
IIT Kanpur maps Sun's internal magnetic field
Scientists at IIT Kanpur have made a big discovery about the Sun.
They used 30 years of data from satellites to create a 3D model of the Sun's magnetic field inside.
This is important because the Sun's magnetic field affects space weather, which can cause problems for satellites and power grids on Earth.
The Sun's magnetic activity changes every 11 years, and this model helps us understand and predict these changes better.
The researchers think their model is more accurate than others and can help us plan better for future solar activity.
This is a big step forward in studying the Sun and protecting our technology from solar storms.
IIT Kanpur researchers mapped the Sun's internal magnetic field for the first time using a 3D computational model.
The model combines 30 years of surface observational data from space satellites.
Understanding solar magnetic activity is crucial for predicting space-weather events that disrupt satellites and power grids.
The study provides an estimate of the magnitude, structure, and evolution of magnetic fields inside the Sun over three decades.
The researchers suggest their approach is robust for predicting the next solar cycle peak and is more realistic than other predictive models.
- Who
- Researchers at IIT Kanpur, led by Soumyadeep Chatterjee and Prof. Gopal Hazra
- What
- Mapped the Sun's internal magnetic field for the first time using a 3D computational model
- When
- The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
- Where
- IIT Kanpur, India
- Why
- To understand and predict space-weather events that disrupt satellites, power grids, navigation, and communication systems on Earth
- Institution
- IIT Kanpur
- Researchers
- Soumyadeep Chatterjee, Prof. Gopal Hazra
- Data Source
- 30 years of surface observational data from space satellites
- Model Type
- 3D computational dynamo model
- Journal
- The Astrophysical Journal Letters
- Key Finding
- Mapped the entire three-dimensional magnetic field inside the Sun
- Prediction
- Robust prediction of the next solar cycle peak