Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) have developed self-consistent models of the Sun's interior, successfully incorporating the complex dynamics that form the tachocline. This breakthrough, achieved in September 2025, marks a significant advancement in solar physics.
The tachocline is an exceptionally thin layer situated between the Sun's radiative and convective zones. It is believed to be the driving force behind solar phenomena such as flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact Earth's power grids and satellite communications. Accurately modeling this layer is crucial for predicting solar activity.
Utilizing NASA's Pleiades supercomputer, the UC Santa Cruz team, part of the COFFIES DRIVE Science Center, simulated the spontaneous emergence of a tachocline without explicit programming. This achievement offers deeper insights into the mechanisms generating the Sun's magnetic field. Lead author Loren Matilsky stated that the research not only enhances understanding of our Sun but also provides valuable perspectives on other stars, which is vital for assessing exoplanet habitability.
The COFFIES DRIVE Science Center is a collaborative initiative focused on deciphering the solar dynamo, the process responsible for the Sun's magnetic fields. The tachocline, along with the near-surface shear layer, is a central focus for COFFIES. The Sun's magnetic field is the primary driver of space weather, influencing Earth through phenomena ranging from auroras to potentially hazardous radiation, making a robust understanding of these processes paramount for reliable space weather forecasting.