Prepare to be amazed! New footage from the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter has unveiled the captivating spectacle of solar wind streaming millions of miles from our Sun. This incredible video showcases the intricate dance of particles, offering a unique glimpse into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, commonly referred to as the corona.

Captured using the Metis instrument, a specialized coronagraph designed to block the Sun's overpowering light, the footage highlights subtle phenomena that would otherwise remain unseen. According to a groundbreaking study published in The Astrophysical Journal, researchers observed a remarkable helical radial structure extending from 1.5 to 3 solar radii for more than three hours—truly a remarkable event in solar physics!

To put that into perspective, a single solar radius measures about 432,690 miles (696,347 kilometers), meaning this intriguing structure reached distances of up to 1,298,070 miles (2,089,041 kilometers)! That’s an astonishing area of space being affected by solar wind.

The recording was made on October 12, 2022, and Metis stands out as the only instrument capable of capturing such delicate features of solar wind. The Solar Orbiter frequently provides us with awe-inspiring observations of the Sun’s extreme physics; just last month, researchers documented tiny jets erupting from the Sun’s South Pole!

Solar wind is a constant feature of our solar system, bombarding Earth and contributing to stunning auroras in our skies. However, the invaluable data collected by Metis allows scientists to study the origins of this cosmic wind, offering insights into the Sun’s inner corona, the source of these energetic particles.

Looking ahead, the Solar Orbiter mission is scheduled to remain operational until 2026, with the potential for an extension to 2030. This means we can expect even more thrilling discoveries about our host star and its fascinating interactions with the solar system. Keep your eyes on the skies—cosmic wonders are on the horizon!