Mysteries of the Sun: The Solar Orbiter Project and Its Observations
The Sun is the center of our universe and the greatest representative of the source of life. The Sun's activities affect not only the weather on Earth, but also space weather events, which can have significant effects on communication and navigation systems. In this context, the European Space Agency (ESA) developed Solar orbiter The project was implemented to better understand the dynamics of the Sun.
What is Solar Orbiter?
Solar Orbiter is a joint project of ESA and NASA. This spacecraft was launched from Florida in 2020. Solar Orbiter has the ability to make observations from a distance closer to the Sun than ever before. The spacecraft is designed to study the Sun's polar regions, which will help us understand the Sun's magnetic fields and activity cycles.
Observation Processes and Obtained Data
Solar Orbiter has managed to obtain images from a distance of approximately 64 million kilometers from the Sun. These images were taken during the Sun's maximum activity period. The aim of the project is to examine the changes on the Sun's surface and the effects of these changes on Earth. In February, Solar Orbiter took advantage of Venus's gravity to look at the Sun from 17 degrees below, thus providing the opportunity to collect important data on previously unobservable polar regions.
Polar Observations and Future Prospects
He heads the Solar Orbiter's scientific team responsible for studying the poles Prof. Sami Solanki"This was just a brief first look. The real important data is still to come," he said, drawing attention to the importance of Solar Orbiter's future observations. It is planned to increase this angle to 30 degrees with new Venus maneuvers to be carried out in the coming years. This will allow much clearer observations of the polar regions.
The Sun's Magnetic Field and Its Rotation Process
The Sun is a giant sphere of hot electrically charged gases, about 865 thousand miles in diameter. It produces a powerful magnetic field during its own motion. The Sun's magnetic field alternates between poles approximately every 11 years, solar cycle During this cycle, cooler, darker areas called 'sunspots' form on the Sun's surface. The number of these spots increases as the cycle progresses, then decreases again.
The Importance of Solar Orbiter According to Experts
Experts believe that the data collected by Solar Orbiter will make significant contributions to studies on the solar cycle. Hamish Reid Solar physicists like, “We’re not sure exactly what we’re going to encounter. We’re probably going to see things we didn’t know about before,” they say, emphasizing the potential of this project.
The Effects of Information from the Sun on the Earth
The sun's activities can affect the weather on Earth, causing various natural events. High-energy particles from the sun can affect electrical systems in the atmosphere, causing disruptions in communication and navigation systems. The data obtained by Solar Orbiter will help us better understand such events and contribute to the prediction of future space weather conditions.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The Solar Orbiter project stands out as an important step in understanding the dynamics of the Sun. Observations of the Sun's polar regions will form the basis for future studies. The spacecraft will allow us to learn more about the Sun's magnetic field and activity cycles, and will also help us understand the effects of this information on Earth. These steps taken to solve the mysteries of the Sun are a great source of hope for the future of space exploration.
