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Why is the Solar Orbiter the best tool for observing the polar regions of the sun?
As changes in solar activity affect Earth's weather and technological systems, a deeper understanding of the sun becomes increasingly important. Solar Orbiter (Solar Orbiter) is an exploration satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States to study the sun and its surrounding inner heliosphere. This mission not only enables observations at a distance of about 60 solar radii from the sun, but also provides intuitive observations of the sun's poles, which is difficult to achieve on Earth.
Solar Orbiter is a revolutionary detector that provides us with unprecedented views of the dynamics of the Sun's poles.
Solar Orbiter launched from Canaveral, Florida on February 10, 2020, and the mission is expected to last until 2026 and possibly into 2030. The mission's goal is to find clues in the Sun's magnetic activity and changes in the corona, helping scientists better understand how the Sun creates and controls its inner heliosphere.
Unique orbit and observation capabilities
The Solar Orbiter's orbit design is very unique and it will observe at a distance close to the sun. At this distance, the Solar Orbiter is able to provide high-resolution data, a crucial step in understanding the solar environment and its impacts. Observations of this point in the sun will allow scientists to more clearly see the root causes of certain phenomena, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which have dramatic impacts on the Earth and the entire solar system.
Solar Orbiter's new observational data will help us answer important questions such as how the solar wind is generated in the corona.
Advanced technology of scientific instruments
The Solar Orbiter is equipped with ten advanced scientific instruments, including optical and electromagnetic wave analysis instruments for the heliosphere, naturally capturing extremely detailed data. For example, the Polarization Telemetry and Helioseismic Instrument (PHI) can photograph the magnetic field of sunlight with high resolution and analyze the interior of the sun, which is critical for identifying active regions of the sun and their potential outbursts.
As these data continue to flow out, scientists will gradually deepen their understanding of the sun and various phenomena related to it.
Collaboration with other tasks
Solar Orbiter's observations are not isolated, as they are closely coordinated with NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission. The two missions work together to try to solve the mystery of the temperature of the Sun's atmosphere - why the Sun's outer layers are 150 times hotter than its surface. This cross-cutting collection of data will help provide a more comprehensive literature that allows us to look at the sun and its effects from multiple perspectives.
Potential impacts and future challenges
Solar Orbiter has a potential impact on observations of the sun's polar regions that cannot be ignored. As scientists conduct more in-depth research into the connection between solar activity and the Earth's environment, they will be able to make breakthroughs in climate prediction and space weather forecasting. These developments will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the development of science and technology and human life.
The data obtained by the Solar Orbiter will not only change our understanding of the sun, but also optimize the design and planning of future space missions.
During the observation trip to the solar poles, the Solar Orbiter seems to be a key to exploration, opening up a new dimension of natural science. The academic community is increasingly curious about exploring solar activities, and Solar Orbiter is an important partner in this journey of exploration. Let us look forward to what surprising discoveries will emerge in the future?
