Solar Physics and 
Space Weather

The University of Palermo is a leading center for research in solar physics and space weather, with a focus on understanding the Sun’s dynamic million degrees tempeature corona and its impact on Earth.
This work is spearheaded by Prof. Fabio Reale and Prof. Paolo Pagano, internationally recognized experts in heliophysics.

MUSE: NASA’s Mid-Scale Solar Mission

Our team is actively involved in MUSE (Multi-slit Solar Explorer), a NASA mission set to launch in 2027. MUSE will deliver the most detailed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) observations of the solar corona ever captured, helping to solve the long-standing mystery of coronal heating—why the Sun’s outer atmosphere is millions of degrees hotter than its surface.
Our team leads the Italian scientific contribution to MUSE.

Our research group is engaged in studying the turbulent dynamics of the solar corona,  and the consequent development of electric current sheets, a key prerequisite for the coronal heating. We perform advanced forward modelling to simulate how magnetic reconnection releases energy and heats the plasma. These models help us predict the observational signatures that MUSE will detect. This work is essential for maximizing the scientific return of the mission and for advancing our understanding of solar activity.

Coronal Heating & Plasma Dynamics

Using high-resolution numerical simulations, we investigate how small-scale magnetic events, such as nanoflares and magnetic reconnection, contribute to heating the solar corona.
Suche numerical simulations are state-of-the-art essential tools to crack the enigma of the million degrees temperature solar corona.

Our group has developed some of the most advanced and realistic models of energy release through magnetic reconnection which allow us to undestand the heating and the possible diagnostics.

Space Weather & CME Propagation

Our research also includes magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—massive solar eruptions that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems. By modeling CME initiation and propagation, we aim to improve space weather forecasting and help protect modern technological infrastructure.

The MHD modelling of the propagation of CMEs is crucial for understanding the physics of the solar wind and plasma physics, but also for enhancing our space weather prediction capabilities.
Furthermore we produce predictive models for identifying flaring and erupting active regions from the analysis of their magnetic field configuration.