Mystery Gas Keeps Heading For Sun

Ananova ^ | 11-21-2001

[blam]

Mystery gas keeps heading for Sun

A space probe has spotted mysterious clouds of gas falling towards the surface of the Sun.

The gas battles forward despite facing a solar wind which reaches speeds of 74 miles per second.

Astronomers believe the clouds are pulled towards the Sun by changes in its magnetic field.

The inflows can start at altitudes of up to 1.7 million miles from the surface and the latest pictures have surprised scientists.

Bernhard Fleck, the European Space Agency's project scientist for the Soho probe mission, says: "I was stunned when I saw the first movies showing these inflows.

"Before this discovery by Soho no one had any idea that gas could travel the wrong way, and be pushed back towards the Sun."

The images were processed by Neil Sheeley and Yi-Ming Wang at the US naval research laboratory.

If they are right, and the pictures show collapsing magnetic loops, pulling material against the solar wind, they will confirm that the Sun recycles the magnetic field in its atmosphere.

Story filed: 11:00 Wednesday 21st November 2001

[callisto]

Not exactly on subject here, but for some reason I am reminded of an older article pertaining to our probes farthest out in the heliosphere. I recall reading that scientists have discovered an unexplained force that appears to be slowing down the speed of the crafts. The article left the impression that the probes might actually slow down eventually enough to cause them to fail to break the barrier of the heliosphere.

Seeing the possibility that the magnetic fields might be falling back into the sun gives me a little food for thought at the moment. Now I'm going to have to find the article now!!LOL!

[dead]

You beat me by two minutes, but mine was funnier.

I went for subtle. I typed it with a droll Steven Wright sort of accent, that was difficult for the keyboard to pick up.

You went all over-the-top Waylon and Madame with it. 8-)

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Thai bird peppers, eh? My Habernaros were really weak this year....

[Azzurri]

Well, Bill Clinton has been travelling a lot lately. That's probably just a radar image of him preparing one of his hot gas speeches on the airplane.

[dead]

Before this thread gets all scientificky, I should warn you that your source (ananova) mostly just makes up their stories.

They're sort of the Weekly World News of the internet.

[blam]

" Now I'm going to have to find the article now!!LOL!"

Good. Post it as an attachment to this article.

[RightOnline]

I have a theory.............but I'd better not repeat it here in front of polite company.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Jalepenos are mild. Get some Habenaro or Thai bird peppers next time.

That would destroy the entire galaxy.

[RightOnline]

"(I hadn't considered that the title had 'other' meanings.)"

Yeahsure, blam. :) Wink wink, nudge nudge. Never crossed yer mind. Nope. Nosirree bob.

LOL!!!! Sell it elsewhere, ya goof ya. :)

[Cogadh na Sith]

You went all over-the-top Waylon and Madame with it.

Oh, man... Now that is funny. You're still king of the humor hill.

[dead]

I'm just happy somebody remembered Waylon and Madame! How did that act ever get popular?!

[wattsmag2]

Keep all lime away from your peppers and add a bunch of cow dung for acidity.

[Cogadh na Sith]

How did that act ever get popular?!

People dig puppets.

[LeeMcCoy]

Here's the link to SOHO's news site:

ESA Science Home

[Nataku X]

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURP

Ahhhhh... I feel better now.

[Rain-maker]

New title should read;

Sun Takes Whiff of Galatic Fart

[varon]

Mystery Gas .........

Methinks the cheese eating mooses might have something to do with that ;-)

[Centurion2000]

Was Nadler in orbit recently ? Oh wait the shuttle doesn't have enough lift capacity for him.