Solar science reveals historic first sun pole images ahead of solar storm

The sun is taking center stage with recent solar flare activity sparking modest space weather tomorrow, with an added metaphorical selfie as NASA recently released the first-ever images of the sun’s polar regions.

In space weather, NOAA has released a G2 Geomagnetic storm, which isn’t as severe as the G4 that has made headlines for reaching much farther south; however, the watch is extended through June 14. NOAA will release the weekend maps tomorrow, but has published the U.S. northern lights forecast map

In solar news, the European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter spacecraft published the first images of the sun’s poles from outside the ecliptic plane.

“The new images showcase a surprisingly splotchy mix of magnetic fields at the sun’s poles,” posted NASA Sun Science on Facebook. “Previously hidden parts of the sun are newly visible thanks to the spacecraft’s uniquely ‘tilted’ orbit. "

“It’s a sign that our sun is in its most chaotic phase, right in the middle of ‘flipping’ its entire magnetic field upside down,” the post went on to read. It will be the first spacecraft to watch this flipping process happen at the sun’s poles. 

The continued research is one of many NASA and ESA missions where scientists are working on solar science, the heliosphere, and space weather, as space exploration continues to yield new science discoveries with the rapid advancement of technology.