Space probe Solar Orbiter showed a video of approach to the Sun

The European Space Agency (ESA) has published a high-resolution video of the Sun, which was obtained using the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. He first passed perihelionPerihilion is the closest point to the Sun in the orbit of a planet or other celestial body in the solar system., reaching its closest approach to the star.

Solar Orbiter turned out to be closer to the Sun than Mercury, inside the orbit of which the device was located. This is about one third of the distance from the Sun to the Earth. With this approach, the thermal shield of the probe heated up to a temperature of about 500°C.

The frames were taken with an ultraviolet imaging device at a wavelength of 17 nm. The picture is colored artificially for clarity.

The first video demonstrates powerful outbreaks, breathtaking views of the solar poles and the curious solar hedgehog, noted ESA scientists. They also added that the analysis of the received data set has just begun, but it is already clear that the Solar Orbiter mission will provide the most unusual information about the magnetic behavior of the Sun and how it affects the cosmic weather.

The second ESA video showed the Sun's north pole in more detail. The lighter areas of the image are mainly created by loops of magnetism that rise from the interior of the star. They are called closed magnetic field lines. The darker regions are the Sun's open magnetic field, where gases can escape into space, creating the solar wind.

Starting in 2025, Solar Orbiter will use the gravitational pull of Venus to gradually increase the inclination of its orbit. This will allow the space probe instruments to explore the solar poles from above.

Closer to the sun was selected Parker Solar Probe only. In 2021, it passed at a distance of 0.07 from the star a.u.An astronomical unit is a unit of distance in astronomy, roughly equal to the average distance from the Earth to the Sun. Solar Orbiter is now at 0.32 AU. from the sun.