The Solar Orbiter mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with NASA, has recently delivered the first close-up images of the Sun’s southern pole — a region never before seen in such detail. These observations mark a major step forward in understanding the Sun’s magnetic activity, solar wind, and the 11-year solar cycle. Czech companies and institutions have made a notable contribution to this international effort. Among them, esc Aerospace participated in the development of the STIX (Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays) instrument, which provides imaging spectroscopy of solar thermal and non-thermal X-ray emissions. Other Czech partners involved in the mission include the Czech Academy of Sciences and additional research teams, highlighting the strong presence of Czech science and technology in cutting-edge space research.
The Solar Orbiter mission is unique in that it is gradually tilting its orbit out of the ecliptic plane, allowing it to view the Sun from higher latitudes. In March 2025, the spacecraft reached an inclination of 17°, capturing unprecedented views of the Sun’s southern pole. In the coming years, it will continue to raise its orbital tilt — up to 33° by 2029 — providing even better vantage points for observing the polar regions.
This mission is set to deliver continuous and long-term measurements throughout a full solar cycle, improving our ability to forecast solar activity and its effects on Earth. Further image data, including from the STIX instrument, is expected to arrive in the coming months and years.
(Credit: ESA)