An extraordinary achievement has just been accomplished by the Solar Orbiter; it has captured the sun’s mysterious south pole with astonishing clarity. For the first time in history, scientists have observed the chaotic magnetic activity around this region, an area previously hidden from view.
This groundbreaking milestone could unlock very important insights into the sun’s magnetic behaviour, particularly the powerful field flips that occur approximately every 11 years, impacting everything from solar storms to satellite communications.
Solar Orbiter Captures Chaotic South Pole Activity
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft, a joint ESA-NASA mission, swooped below the solar plane in March and captured the first-ever images of the sun’s mysterious south pole. Remarkably, the photos revealed a magnetic patchwork scientists had only simulated in models until now.
Meanwhile, ESA’s Prof Carole Mundell called it “humankind’s first-ever views of the sun’s pole,” highlighting its role in predicting solar behaviour and safeguarding Earth’s systems. The $1.3 billion mission, launched in 2020, achieved this milestone by dipping 15° below the solar equator.
At present, the sun is nearing its solar maximum, the phase when its magnetic field prepares for a dramatic polarity flip. Consequently, the captured images show a tangled mix of magnetic polarities, a sight that validates years of theoretical models. The data gathered will improve forecasting of solar cycles that impact everything from satellites to communications on Earth.
New Solar Data Redefines Magnetic Field Predictions
Initial measurements from the Solar Orbiter show a fractured mosaic of north and south polarities coexisting at the sun’s base. This confirms what scientists long predicted but had never seen. Prof Sami Solanki from the Max Planck Institute called the sun’s poles “terra incognita,” noting how this data provides a vital window into magnetic behaviour.
Because the sun spins unevenly faster at the equator than at the poles, its magnetic field becomes twisted and unstable, leading to periodic reversals. Prof Lucie Green from UCL noted that this mixed magnetic field fuels the sun’s dynamic transformation from calm to explosive.
Future observations will increase in tilt, reaching 33° by 2029, giving scientists an even clearer view of solar polar activity. Until then, these first images mark a thrilling new chapter in space exploration and solar science.