3D Rotating Coronal Magnetic Topology

This video shows a three-dimensional simulation of the Sun's corona created using the COCONUT model. Unlike eclipse images, which show the corona from a single viewpoint, the rotating perspective reveals the full extent of the Sun's outer atmosphere and the structures that surround it.

Bright white and blue features trace large-scale coronal structures stretching out into space, while the coloured regions closer to the Sun highlight complex magnetic and plasma environments. As the view rotates, it becomes clear that the corona is a vast three-dimensional system, with streamers and magnetic structures extending in multiple directions.

Visualisations like this help scientists explore the hidden structure of the corona and connect model predictions with observations. By revealing how the Sun's magnetic field shapes the corona, they provide valuable insights into the origins of space weather and how solar activity spreads through the Solar System.