For the very first time, humanity has glimpsed the Sun's south pole, thanks to groundbreaking images from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. This historic milestone was achieved as the orbiter ventured 15 degrees below the Sun's equator, sending back awe-inspiring visuals that reveal a part of our nearest star like never before.

Launched in 2020, the Solar Orbiter is only the second spacecraft ever to traverse the Sun's poles. The earlier Ulysses mission (1990-2009) did not have the capability to capture images, making this achievement even more remarkable. ESA's Director of Science, Professor Carole Mundell, heralded this moment as a leap forward in solar science, stating, "The sun is our nearest star, giver of life, but also a potential disruptor of our modern technology. Understanding it is crucial for predicting its behavior."

Previous photographs of the Sun were all taken from the equatorial perspective, as Earth and other planets orbit within the flat ecliptic plane surrounding the star. The Solar Orbiter's unique tilt allows us to observe the Sun from an entirely new viewpoint, with promising prospects for even more stunning revelations as the spacecraft adjusts its trajectory further.

Unlike Earth, where the north and south poles remain constant, the Sun experiences a flip of its magnetic poles approximately every 11 years. This is due to the different rotational speeds of its equator and poles: the equator spins every 26 days, while the poles take 33 days. Currently, we are witnessing a phase called the "solar maximum," characterized by heightened solar activity, such as increased sunspots and solar flares.

In just five to six years, we will reach the "solar minimum," a time when magnetic activity will wane. The recently taken images from the Solar Orbiter present a captivating mosaic of north and south polar characteristics at the Sun's base.

As the Solar Orbiter continues its exploration until Christmas Eve 2026, its next significant event will be a close approach to Venus in 2029. Prepare for the revelations ahead, as the best views of our Sun are yet to come!