For the first time in history shot south half of our star

Today is a day that will be written in history exploring the universe. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), scientists have received the first images and videos of the solar southern pole, taken from the Solar Orbiter probe. It is a joint mission of agencies Esa and Uswho looked for the first time in history to our star « From below » and revealed a landscape that has been literally unknown so far.

« Today we are revealing the first views of the Sun’s half, which has not succeeded so far to humanity, » said the professor Carole MundellDirector of Science at the ESA Agency. “The sun is our closest star that gives life, but is also a potential disruptor of modern systems on Earth. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand how it works and learn to predict his behavior, « she added.

Why is this such a special achievement?

If we imagine our solar system as a fried egg, where the sun is yolk, all planets, including the earth, circulate on the protein – in a level, a flat plane called ecliptic. As explained by the magazine Forbesall the shots of the sun were made from this plane so far, that is, from the side. The Sola Solar Orbiter, however, is the first to lean her orbit and peek into the « underside of yolk ». In mid -March this year, she leaned fifteen degrees below the solar equator, giving it a direct view of the south pole. « We didn’t know exactly what to expect from these first observations – the solar poles are literally terra incognite, » the professor said Solanka themselveswho leads one of the instruments on the probe.

What did scientists discover? Chaotic magnetism.

One of the first and most important discoveries is that the magnetic field on the southern pole is currently completely chaotic. While the ordinary magnet has a clearly defined north and southern pole, the probe measurements have shown that both areas with southern and northern magnetic polarity were present at the Sun South Pole.

As reported by British Guardianthis happens only for a short time during the highlight of the solar activity, which occurs about every eleven years. At that time, the solar magnetic field is preparing to replace the poles – the south becomes north and vice versa. This is also the time when the sun is most active, full of sun spots and outbreaks.

Understanding this event is crucial for predicting so -called space weather. Violent outbreaks from the sun are sending particles that can damage communication satellites and disable the electrical networks on the ground. At the same time, these particles are responsible for the beautiful phenomenon of polar glow or aurore.

Professor Lucie Green from the University of London is for BBC News said that scientists, with these recordings, got a « missing part of the puzzle ». According to experts, the forecasting of space weather is « holy grail of solar physics », as precise predictions would allow us to prepare for the upcoming solar storms in time.

Measurements Revolution: Now we also know how fast the substance moves

The probe did not just bring pictures. With the help of the Spice instrument, scientists also managed to measure for the first time how quickly the particles that make up the solar atmosphere are moving. As they explained by the ESA Agency, they achieved this by measuring Doppler’s phenomenon, similar to the one when the sound of the siren ambulance changes as it leads past us. This can now directly measure the speed of the solar wind – the flow of particles that constantly travel from the sun to the planets.

These are just the first recordings, as the Sorna Solar Orbiter will tilt its orbit even steeper in the coming years. In 2029, it is expected to reach a slope of 33 degrees, which will allow for an even better and more detailed view of both sun poles. “This is just the first step on the ‘stairs to heaven’ for the Solar Orbiter, » he finished picturesque Daniel Müller, project scientist at the ESA Agency.