Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The joint ESA/NASA space mission Solar Orbiter changed its orbital tilt using a flyby of Venus, and is now able to see the Sun's south pole. This is the first time we've ever been able to get images of thise region of the Sun! Earth's orbit around the Sun is only tipped by about 7°, but Solar Orbiter is now tipped by 17°, and over the next few years will change its orbit even more to get to 24° and possibly even 33° if the extended mission is funded. These new views will help astronomers better understand how the Sun's surface works, and how the solar wind is formed.
Credit: ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team, D. Berghmans (ROB) & ESA/Royal Observatory of Belgium
Original video: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_gets_world-first_views_of_the_Sun_s_poles
The joint ESA/NASA space mission Solar Orbiter changed its orbital tilt using a flyby of Venus, and is now able to see the Sun's south pole. This is the first time we've ever been able to get images of thise region of the Sun! Earth's orbit around the Sun is only tipped by about 7°, but Solar Orbiter is now tipped by 17°, and over the next few years will change its orbit even more to get to 24° and possibly even 33° if the extended mission is funded. These new views will help astronomers better understand how the Sun's surface works, and how the solar wind is formed.
Credit: ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team, D. Berghmans (ROB) & ESA/Royal Observatory of Belgium
Original video: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_gets_world-first_views_of_the_Sun_s_poles
