The Solar Orbiter mission, a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, has provided groundbreaking observations of the Sun's polar regions. These unprecedented views, captured between February 11 and April 29, 2025, offer a detailed look at the structure of the Sun's magnetic field.
The spacecraft's unique orbit allowed for clear imaging of the solar poles, something never before achieved. The Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) instrument recorded magnetic field strengths across the Sun's surface. The PHI instrument is led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), Germany.
The data reveals complex and dynamic magnetic activity. The south pole, in particular, displays a 'messy' mix of magnetic polarities, a characteristic of the 'solar maximum' phase. This is when the Sun's magnetic field flips, and the Sun is at its most active. Solar Orbiter will continue to monitor the Sun's magnetic field as it transitions to a more ordered state in the coming years.