Final Answer:
Modern astronomers suspect the corona is heated by magnetic reconnection processes occurring in the Sun's atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere, is much hotter than its surface, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for years. Recent research indicates that the corona's extreme temperatures may be attributed to magnetic reconnection processes. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic field lines break and reconnect, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. In the Sun's corona, these processes are believed to be responsible for the elevated temperatures observed. The intense magnetic activity in the Sun's atmosphere likely plays a crucial role in heating the corona through these reconnection events.