Solar Orbiter: Here comes the Sun
Abstract
The ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission started its nominal mission phase in November 2021 and will have its first close solar encounter at 0.32 au in March 2022. By combining high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy of the Sun with detailed in-situ measurements of the surrounding heliosphere, Solar Orbiter will enable us to determine the linkage between observed solar wind streams and their source regions on the Sun. Over the course of the 10-year mission, the highly elliptical orbit will get progressively more inclined to the ecliptic plane. Thanks to this new perspective, Solar Orbiter will deliver images and comprehensive data of the unexplored Sun's polar regions and the side of the Sun not visible from Earth. This talk will provide a mission status update, summarise the science operations performed during the first close perihelion as well as the plans for the next one in October 2022, and show first data.
- Publication:
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44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 16-24 July
- Pub Date:
- July 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022cosp...44.1044M