Supercomputer Simulation of Magnetic Field Loops on the Sun

You are subscribed to Image of the Day for NASA. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.   Supercomputer Simulation of Magnetic Field Loops on the Sun 11/25/2014 11:00 AM EST Magnetic fields emerging from below the surface of the sun influence the solar wind—a stream of particles that blows continuously from the sun’s atmosphere through the solar system. Researchers at NASA and its university partners are using high-fidelity computer simulations to learn how these magnetic fields emerge, heat the sun’s outer atmosphere and produce sunspots and flares. This visualization shows magnetic field loops in a portion of the sun, with colors representing magnetic field strength from weak (blue) to strong (red). The simulation was run on the Pleiades supercomputer at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing facility at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.  The knowledge gained through simulation results like this one help researchers better understand the sun, its variations, and its interactions with Earth and the solar system. Image Credit: Robert Stein, Michigan State University; Timothy Sandstrom, NASA/Ames > Related: NASA showcased more than 35 of the agency’s exciting computational achievements at SC14, the international supercomputing conference, Nov. 16-21, 2014, in New Orleans.   This e-mail update was generated automatically based on your subscriptions. Some updates may belong to more than one category, resulting in duplicate notices.   Questions? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:     SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This message has been sent by NASA Headquarters · Washington, DC 20546