How NASA Saw Inside the Sun and What It Found

Have you ever wondered how NASA saw inside the Sun and what scientists actually discovered there? For decades, the Sun looked calm and simple from Earth. But modern space missions have revealed something very different. Powerful solar storms, fire-like rain, giant plasma bubbles, and magnetic explosions are constantly happening on its surface.

In this blog, we will explore how NASA studied the Sun, what shocking structures were discovered, and why these findings matter for Earth and our technology.

Let’s break it down in simple language.

How NASA Saw Inside the Sun

Studying the Sun is not easy. It is extremely bright and incredibly hot. Normal cameras cannot capture its details. So how NASA saw inside the Sun was by using special space telescopes that observe it in different wavelengths of light, especially ultraviolet light.

One of the most important missions is the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) by NASA.

Instead of taking regular photos, SDO captures images in multiple wavelengths. Each wavelength shows a different temperature layer of the Sun. This helps scientists understand what is happening in its outer and inner regions.

Understanding the Layers of the Sun

Just like Earth has layers, the Sun also has several layers:

1️⃣ The Corona (Outer Layer)

The corona is the outermost layer. Surprisingly, it is much hotter than the surface below it.

Here scientists discovered a phenomenon called coronal rain.

2️⃣ The Chromosphere (Middle Layer)

This layer sits between the corona and the visible surface.

It is dynamic and full of magnetic activity.

3️⃣ The Photosphere (Visible Surface)

This is the part of the Sun we see during sunrise and sunset.

It may look smooth from Earth, but in reality, it is extremely active.

What Is Coronal Rain?

One of the most surprising discoveries was coronal rain.

This happens when:

• Hot plasma rises into the corona
• It cools down
• Gravity pulls it back to the surface

It looks like rain made of fire.

This discovery answered many questions about how solar energy moves through different layers. It also helped scientists better understand how solar flares form and behave.

Solar Flares and Their Impact on Earth

Another important finding was related to solar flares.

Solar flares are sudden bursts of energy caused by magnetic activity. These flares can travel toward Earth and affect:

• Satellites
• GPS systems
• Internet communication
• Power grids

In recent years, strong solar storms have damaged satellites and caused communication issues. That is why scientists are closely monitoring solar activity.

This connects directly to another key topic: how solar flares affect Earth’s technology.

Strange Grass-Like Structures on the Sun

In the chromosphere, scientists observed tall plasma spikes that appear and disappear within minutes.

These structures:

• Are taller than Mount Everest
• Move at extremely high speeds
• Are caused by twisted magnetic fields

The Sun does not rotate evenly. Its equator rotates faster than its poles. This creates twisted magnetic fields, similar to a stretched rubber band. When these magnetic loops snap or reconnect, energy is released.

This explains the question: why NASA is studying solar storms closely.

Giant Solar Granules: The Sun’s “Cracks”

When NASA zoomed into the photosphere, they saw what looked like cracks. But these were not cracks. They are called solar granules.

Each granule is a massive bubble of hot plasma rising upward, while cooler plasma sinks down.

This process is similar to:

• Boiling water in a pot
• Lava movement inside Earth

These granules can be as large as entire regions on Earth. They constantly form and disappear.

What Are Sunspots?

You may have seen dark spots on images of the Sun. These are called sunspots.

Sunspots form where magnetic fields are extremely strong. The strong magnetic force slows down particle movement, making those regions cooler and darker.

They are not holes — they are simply cooler areas caused by magnetic concentration.

Understanding sunspots helps scientists predict solar storms more accurately.

Why NASA and ISRO Keep Sending Solar Missions

If everything is normal, why so many missions?

Space agencies like NASA and ISRO are studying the Sun because:

• Solar storms can damage modern technology
• Satellites are increasing in number
• Space travel is expanding
• Power grids need protection

Recent missions include:

• Solar Dynamics Observatory
• Parker Solar Probe
• Aditya-L1

Each mission improves data speed and image quality. For example, SDO sends high-resolution images every few seconds, helping scientists monitor real-time solar changes.

Is the Sun Becoming More Dangerous?

Based on current research, nothing abnormal is happening. The Sun has natural cycles that last about 11 years. During peak cycles, solar activity increases.

What has changed is our technology.

Today, we rely heavily on:

• Satellites
• Mobile networks
• GPS navigation
• Online communication

So even normal solar activity can cause noticeable disruptions.

This explains growing searches around is the Sun becoming more active recently.

Why These Discoveries Matter

The study of the Sun is not about fear. It is about preparation.

By understanding solar behavior, scientists can:

• Predict solar storms
• Protect satellites
• Secure power grids
• Reduce economic damage

The better we understand our star, the safer our planet becomes.

Conclusion

Now you understand how NASA saw inside the Sun and what it found. The Sun is not breaking or collapsing. It is simply a powerful and dynamic star full of magnetic activity, plasma motion, and energy transfer.

Thanks to modern space missions, we can now observe coronal rain, giant plasma spikes, solar granules, and magnetic sunspots in incredible detail.

The Sun may look calm from Earth, but it is constantly active. And studying it helps protect our future.

If you enjoy learning about space discoveries and solar science, keep exploring more articles and stay curious.