Musical sounds created by longitudinal vibrations within the sun’s atmosphere have been recorded and accurately studied for the first time by experts at the University of Sheffield, shedding light on the sun's magnetic atmosphere. The video shows giant magnetic coronal loops, which are responsible for huge atmospheric explosions that occur in the atmosphere, known as solar flares. The loops under go periodic (oscillatory) motion, creating the 'music,' which can be thought of as someone plucking a guitar string. The team is headed up by Professor Robertus von Fáy-Siebenbürgen and includes postgraduate student Richard Morton and postdoctoral research associate Dr Youra Taroyan, all from the Department of Applied Mathematics. The University of Sheffield has launched Project Sunshine, led by the Faculty of Science. Project Sunshine aims to unite scientists across the traditional boundaries in both the pure and applied sciences to harness the power of the sun and tackle the biggest challenge facing the world today: meeting the increasing food and energy needs of the world´s population in the context of an uncertain climate and global environment change. It is hoped that Project Sunshine will change the way scientists think and work and become the inspiration for a new generation of scientists focused on solving the world's problems. Credit: University of Sheffield