Solar Model Visuals & Multimedia Gallery

Media Kit: News Release |Solar Model Multimedia Gallery

The images on this page are drawn from a new computer model, developed by researchers at NCAR and other institutions, that simulates convection patterns in the deep interior of the Sun in unprecedented detail. The patterns, known as giant cells, play a critical role in solar variability, influencing magnetic storms that take aim at Earth.

For more information, please contact Mark Miesch, 303-497-1582, or David Hosansky, 303-497-8611

A. Giant cells	B. Differential rotation
Click here or on the image to enlarge. Giant cell convection patterns beneath the surface of the Sun, as revealed by the new model. (Image by Mark Miesch, NCAR, ©UCAR. News media terms of use*)	Click here or on the image to enlarge. The solar equator spins around in 28 days (pink/red) while the poles take 35 days (blue/black). The model simulates this differential rotation. (Image by Mark Miesch, NCAR, ©UCAR. News media terms of use*)

C. Solar turbulence	D. Convection zone
Click here or on the image to enlarge. A close-up look at turbulence inside the Sun. (Visualization by Chris Henze, NASA.)	Click here or on the image to enlarge. Turbulent areas beneath the solar surface seeth with vorticity. The new model simulates spinning columns, sheets, and rings of plasma scattered throughout the convection zone. (Image by Mark Miesch, NCAR, ©UCAR. News media terms of use*)

E. Convection patterns

Click here or on the image to enlarge.

Convection patterns in the Sun shown as a map projection that includes all 360 degrees of longitude
and extends from the north pole to the south pole. (Image by Mark Miesch, NCAR, ©UCAR. News media terms of use*)

F. Giant cell animation

This animation requires the Flash plugin.

The giant cell pattern changes continually, renewing itself every few days. This animation is based on the new computer model. Click here to download the full resolution file (.mov, 360 MB) Simulation by Mark Miesch, NCAR; Allan Sacha Brun, French Atomic Energy Commission; Marc DeRosa, Lockheed Martin; and Juri Toomre, JILA/University of Colorado.

G. NCAR scientist

Contacts for This Release
	For Journalists David Hosansky, head of Media Relations 303-497-8611, hosansky@ucar.edu

UCAR Communications
www.ucar.edu/news/contacts.shtml

General inquiries
Yvonne Mondragon, 303-497-8601, yvonnem@ucar.edu

Photo inquiries
Carlye Calvin, 303-497-8609, calvin@ucar.edu

Digital Image Library
www.ucar.edu/imagelibrary

*News media reproduction to illustrate this story and nonprofit use permitted with proper attribution as provided above and acceptance of UCAR's terms of use. Find more images in the UCAR Digital Image Library.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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