NASA is set to launch the PUNCH mission, a constellation of four small satellites, on February 27th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. PUNCH, which stands for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere, aims to solve a long-standing mystery in solar physics: how the sun's corona transitions into the heliosphere, the region of space dominated by the solar wind.
The mission will provide 3D observations of the inner heliosphere, utilizing a unique approach: three wide-field imagers and a narrow-field imager that creates an artificial total solar eclipse. This allows for continuous high-definition observations of the corona and its expansion.
PUNCH's key innovation lies in its use of polarimetry, a technique that measures polarized light to determine the three-dimensional position of objects in space. By analyzing the polarization of scattered sunlight, the mission will provide unprecedented insights into the dynamics of the solar wind.
The mission is anticipated to revolutionize space weather forecasting, enabling more accurate predictions of solar storms. It will also complement data from the Parker Solar Probe, offering a comprehensive view of the sun's activity from the corona to the outer reaches of the heliosphere.
Beyond its primary objective, PUNCH will also create the world's most comprehensive polarimetric star map, contributing to advancements in astronomy.