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SUN, 25 OCT · 77 ITEMS
"Lab-recreated tiny solar flares could explain solar corona mystery" — New Scientist · Science & Medicine
Scientists have used powerful lasers to create miniature versions of solar flares, called , in a laboratory. These experiments simulate —the breaking and reconnecting of magnetic field lines—which releases energy. The findings support a leading theory that countless nanoflares heat the Sun's corona to millions of degrees, solving a decades-old mystery about why the outer atmosphere is so much hotter than the surface.
The claim is based on a peer-reviewed study published in a journal such as Physical Review Letters (as indicated by APS Physics coverage). New Scientist reports directly on this primary research, and the description of the experiment (laser-induced magnetic reconnection heating a plasma) is consistent with the search results. The evidence is experimental and directly tests the nanoflare hypothesis, making the claim solid but still one explanation for the coronal heating problem.
The article was published on October 22, 2026, and reports on genuinely new experimental results from a recent study.