A Swiss-knife method for the numerical simulation of the Solar atmosphere
Understanding the Sun to better protect the Earth: an international team of scientists, including a mathematician from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), researchers from the United States in collaboration with NASA, as well as from Norway and Sweden, developed an innovative digital method, dubbed a “digital Swiss-knife,” that enables solar atmosphere simulations with unprecedented precision. These simulations are essential for improving our understanding of solar eruptions, which—while fascinating when they light up the sky with auroras—also pose a threat to satellites, communications, and power grids.
Press Coverage
To find out more, read the article published in:
- The UNIGE Journal- Mieux prédire les éruptions solaires potentiellement destructrices
- RTS -Mieux prédire les éruptions solaires potentiellement destructrices
- SETI Institute - A Swiss Army Knife for the Sun: New Simulation Method Unlocks Solar Secrets
Gilles Vilmart, mathematician at the University of Geneva and co-author of this research, is available for interviews. For more information, please contact:
References :
Q. M. Wargnier GREEN14, Stockholm, Sweden; Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory, 3251 Hanover St, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, NASA Research Park, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
G. Vilmart Section of Mathematics, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
J. Martínez-Sykora Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory, 3251 Hanover St, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, NO0315 Oslo, Norway; SETI Institute, 339 Bernardo Ave Mountain View, CA 94035, USA.
V. H. Hansteen Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory, 3251 Hanover St, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, NO0315 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, Norway; SETI Institute, 339 Bernardo Ave Mountain View, CA 94035, USA.
B. De Pontieu Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory, 3251 Hanover St, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, NO0315 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, Norway.
Time-Adaptive PIROCK Method with Error Control for Multi-Fluid and Single-Fluid MHD Systems, arXiv:2409.15552, DOI appeared in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Astronomy & Astrophysics (2025) on 26th March, 15 pages.
Image : Picture of the Solar atmosphere on February 6th, 2025 : Courtesy of NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams. Link