Spacecraft Captures Breathtaking Initial Images of the Sun’s South Pole

The first incredible images of the sun’s south pole have been sent back to Earth by a spacecraft.

The photos and video were taken by the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft, and are the first ever captured of the area.

These observations will allow scientists to study the sun’s transitions between intense storm periods and calmer phases, which have implications for satellite communication and power grids on Earth.

The new images reveal a bright atmosphere which can reach one million degrees.

According to Carole Mundell, the agency’s director of science, the images will assist researchers in comprehending how the sun affects vital systems both in space and on Earth.

“Today we reveal humankind’s first-ever views of the sun’s pole,” she said.

“As our closest star, the sun is a provider of life and a potential disruptor of contemporary space and terrestrial power systems. It is crucial that we understand its workings and develop the ability to forecast its activity.”

“These new unique views from our Solar Orbiter mission are the beginning of a new era of solar science.”

The Solar Orbiter captured the images in March from an angle of 17 degrees below the solar equator, enough to directly see the Sun’s south pole.

Over the coming years, the spacecraft will tilt its orbit even further, to offer better views.