The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled the first-ever images and videos of the Sun’s south pole, taken by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Capturing images of the Sun’s poles from outside the ecliptic plane was made possible because the Solar Orbiter probe changed its orbit, resulting in unique images of our star. This data has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun and its impact on space and life on Earth.
On February 17, 2025, the Solar Orbiter probe began to change the inclination of its orbit. It is currently observing the Sun from an angle of 17° below the solar equator, which has allowed it to directly capture the south pole—a place we have not seen from this perspective before.
First images of the Sun’s poles, photo: ESA
Previous models were unable to accurately predict the 11-year solar cycles. Data from Solar Orbiter show that the south pole is currently magnetically unstable, exhibiting both north and south polarity. This is typical for solar maximum, when the Sun’s magnetic field reverses. Thanks to these observations, it will be possible to track this process more accurately.
ESA announces that in the coming years, Solar Orbiter will observe the Sun’s poles from an even greater angle—over 30°.
Polish scientists and engineers are also participating in the Solar Orbiter mission.
Source: National Geographic, ESA
