ESA’s Solar Orbiter has once again captured a groundbreaking footage, providing scientists with a new glimpse into the mysteries of our Sun. On October 12, 2022, the spacecraft recorded a giant plasma structure extending millions of kilometres from the Sun’s surface. This swirling formation, never seen before, has been identified as a pseudostreamer caused by a solar flare near the Sun’s north pole.
The Solar Orbiter, launched in February 2020, is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. Its main purpose is to study the Sun and its dynamic behaviour, as well as the solar wind and its effects on our solar system. Equipped with ten state-of-the-art instruments, the spacecraft has already provided us with valuable data and images, and the latest footage is no exception.
The stunning footage captured by the Solar Orbiter shows a swirling motion in the solar wind, a phenomenon that has never been observed before. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles, mainly protons and electrons, that is continuously emanating from the Sun. This wind plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of our solar system, and studying its behaviour is essential for understanding the dynamics of our Sun.
Scientists quickly identified the swirling structure as a pseudostreamer, a type of coronal structure that is formed when the solar wind flows past a large coronal hole. A coronal hole is an area on the Sun’s surface where the magnetic field is open, allowing the solar wind to escape more easily. Pseudostreamers are known to be associated with solar flares, which are powerful bursts of energy and radiation that occur on the Sun’s surface. The solar flare that caused this giant plasma structure was located near the Sun’s north pole, and its effects were felt millions of kilometres away.
The pseudostreamer captured by the Solar Orbiter lasted for several hours, providing scientists with an unprecedented view of this phenomenon. This is the first time that a spacecraft has captured such a detailed footage of a pseudostreamer, and it has already revealed new insights into its behaviour. The swirling motion observed in the footage is caused by the interaction between the solar wind and the pseudostreamer, and it is believed that this interaction plays a crucial role in shaping the solar wind and its effects on our solar system.
This discovery is significant as it will help us better understand the dynamics of our Sun and the solar wind. Pseudostreamers are known to be one of the main drivers of space weather, which can have a significant impact on Earth and other planets in our solar system. By studying these structures, scientists can predict and prepare for potential disruptions caused by space weather, such as geomagnetic storms and solar flares.
The Solar Orbiter is expected to continue its observations of the Sun for the next seven years, providing us with more groundbreaking discoveries and insights into our closest star. The spacecraft’s unique orbit, which takes it closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft, combined with its advanced instruments, will allow us to study the Sun in ways we have never been able to before.
The ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission is a testament to the advancements in space exploration and technology, and it is a shining example of international collaboration. Scientists from all over the world have come together to make this mission a success, and the latest footage is a result of their collective efforts and dedication.
As we continue to explore and study the wonders of our solar system, the Solar Orbiter’s discoveries will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Sun and its effects on our planet. This latest footage of the giant plasma structure is just the beginning, and we can only imagine what other mysteries the Solar Orbiter will uncover in the years to come. The future of solar science is bright, and the Solar Orbiter is leading the way towards new discoveries and groundbreaking research.
