First images taken by the Solar Orbiter are released by ESA
The European Space Agency and NASA released on Thursday the first images of their joint Sun-observing mission, the Solar Orbiter.
The pictures, taken at an approximate distance of 77 million kilometres away from the Sun, revealed omnipresent miniature solar flares, dubbed 'campfires', near the surface of the Sun.
They are the first images taken of the star's surface from a closer distance, and it remains unclear whether the so-called 'campfires' are tiny versions of big flares or whether they are driven by different mechanisms.
The Solar Orbiter was launched in February 2020.
It carries six remote-sensing instruments, or telescopes, to picture the Sun and its surroundings, and four instruments aimed at monitoring the environment around the spacecraft.
By comparing the data from both sets of instruments, scientists hope to get insights into the generation of solar wind, that is, the stream of charged particles coming from the Sun that influences the entire Solar System.
"This is not as close as we will eventually get. Our closest approach will be just over a quarter of the distance between the Sun and Earth and we will reach that in about two years time," promised Daniel Mueller, the ESA's Solar Orbiter Project scientist.
(Source: Reuters)
Landslides following 7.4 magnitude quake in Vanuatu
Two killed in US school shooting; student suspect also dead: Police
Protesters gather in Jordan in solidarity with Palestinians
Iran’s economy grew 2.7% y/y in Sep quarter: CBI
VIDEO | Freelancers in Gaza strive to stay online amid genocide
Mikati demands Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
Yemeni army strikes Israeli military sites with drones
‘Clock ticking’: UNRWA slams unjustifiable killing of children in Gaza
BP to be sued in Britain for supplying oil to Israel
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Israeli strikes on north Gaza hospital ‘extremely dangerous, terrifying’: Director
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
