Solar Orbiter probe records a giant solar flare
Advertisements
The Solar Orbiter Probe made an unprecedented recording during its mission last week!
Who likes themes involving NASA and the universe itself?
If you are a fan of topics involving space, this content is perfect for you! In it, we will discuss the latest recording made by the Solar Orbiter Probe.
Throughout the text, you will discover what this record was and its importance for space studies!
What is the Solar Orbiter Probe?
The Solar Orbiter Space Probe is an artificial satellite.
The probe, which is the result of a partnership between NASA – the North American Space Agency – and ESA – the European Space Agency.
The probe was launched in February 2020 and since then has continued to carry out studies and collect information about space and, in particular, about the main star in our Solar System: the Sun.
During its time in space, the Orbiter has already passed through the orbits of planets such as Venus and Mercury and, recently, has begun to approach the Sun's orbit.
To carry out the task of gathering information about the Sun, the probe was highly prepared for the extreme temperatures that this type of proximity entails.
Therefore, the Orbiter solar probe is protected by special heat shielding.
Since, according to estimates, the temperatures to which the probe is exposed can reach 600°C.
What was the unprecedented record made by the Solar Orbiter Probe?
As mentioned in the previous topic, the Solar Orbiter Probe is relatively close to the Sun. And it was there that it made this unprecedented recording.
The images were captured by the Full Sun Imager (FSI) instrument on the probe.
Its objective was to capture solar activities in their entirety, along the solar disk.
The record consists of the largest solar flare ever recorded and observed under the complete solar disk. In other words: Sonsa Solar Orbiter made history by obtaining records of the largest event of its kind being captured in a single field of view.
These types of images are a major advance in the studies of this type of phenomenon that occurs on the surface of the sun.
Through them, scientists, researchers and astronomers have more material to carry out new studies on the solar flares and explosions of the main star in our Solar System.
There have most likely been – and will be – even larger eruptions than this one. And, by all indications, the Solar Orbiter Probe is more than ready to record this type of event.
What is a solar flare?
Solar flares are sudden explosions that occur on the surface of the Sun.
These explosions – which are caused by changes in the star's magnetic field – release high levels of radiation that had previously been stored away.
Since most of this radiation is filtered by the Earth's atmosphere, these eruptions do not usually pose a risk to living beings. However, telecommunications systems and satellites can suffer the effects of these explosions.
This type of phenomenon is divided into categories. These categories are: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class M and Class X.
Among them, Class A is the lowest intensity and Class X is the longest and most energetic.
Even though the Sun is quite far from Earth – an average distance of 150 million kilometers – these solar flares can indeed cause effects here on our planet if they are directed towards us.
Only from Class C onwards can small effects be felt here on Earth. In Class M – medium intensity solar flares – rapid blockages of radio transmissions can occur.
Class X eruptions can even cause the suspension of various electromagnetic activities.
This could result in the disruption of radio station transmissions around the planet and even produce long-lasting radiation storms.
Check out the unprecedented recording made by the Solar Orbiter Probe
Now that you know more about the Solar Orbiter Probe, the importance of the recording it makes and what a solar flare is, it's time to check out the video that was released by NASA.
In it, we can see the Sun and the record of the large-scale solar eruption that occurred on its surface.
Will this solar flare recorded by the Solar Orbiter Probe have effects here on Earth?
After seeing how the solar flare recorded by the probe happened, the first question that comes to mind is about the effects that an eruption of this magnitude could have here on our planet, right?
As for that, by all indications, we can rest assured.
In a press release following the release of the record, the ESA – European Space Agency – reported that this event did not send out any explosion of particles that threaten life on Earth.
However, in the statement, the European agency highlighted that this type of event serves as a reminder.
It is important for us to keep in mind that the nature of a star the magnitude of the Sun is unpredictable.
This makes it extremely important to seek to understand its dynamics and, in addition, to observe and monitor the way the Sun behaves.
Aiming to work on these aspects, ESA also announced that it has a launch in its plans.
The mission – which is currently being called Vigil – is expected to be launched in the coming years and will be used to study these types of movements and monitor the frequency and intensity of solar storms.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy learning a little more about the Solar Orbiter Probe and its unprecedented recording?
As you can see, this type of recording is a great way to help scientists understand a little more about the Sun's routine.
Therefore, it will be easier to try to 'predict' the next movements that the star will have.
Apparently, we will soon also have the Vigil mission to assist in these studies and make it easier to understand the routine of the Sun, a star so well known but, at the same time, full of mysteries.
Did you like this content? Then take the opportunity to read it too NASA finds traces of carbon on Mars, and this could be a sign of life
