Exploring the Sun: High-Resolution Images from Solar Orbiter Reveal Dynamic Solar Surface

New Sun Images from Solar Orbiter

On March 22, 2023, the Solar Orbiter spacecraft captured four new images of the Sun. These images come from two instruments: the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) and the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI). This marks the highest-resolution views of the Sun’s visible surface taken to date.

Detailed Observations

The PHI instrument provides detailed images of the Sun’s photosphere, which is the visible surface. It maps the Sun’s magnetic field and shows the movement of materials across the surface. The EUI instrument captures images of the Sun’s corona, its outer atmosphere, in ultraviolet light.

Understanding Solar Dynamics

The Sun is dynamic and complex. The PHI instrument reveals the Sun’s surface as glowing plasma that constantly moves. Sunspots appear as dark spots on the photosphere; they are cooler areas that emit less light. A velocity map from PHI shows how plasma moves on the Sun’s surface, indicating both its rotation and local movements.

Mosaic Image Creation

To form a complete image of the Sun, Solar Orbiter flew within 74 million kilometers of the Sun. Each image taken covers only a small part of the Sun. The images were stitched together to create a comprehensive view. In total, 25 images from PHI and EUI took about four hours to assemble into these mosaics.

Mission Background

Solar Orbiter is a collaborative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. It aims to study the Sun in-depth and gather information about solar activity that affects space weather.

Further Information

For more details about the Solar Orbiter mission, please contact ESA Media Relations at media@esa.int.

Explore these magnificent new images of the Sun and appreciate the dynamic nature of our closest star.