ESA's Solar Orbiter Captures Highest-Resolution Full-Disc Images of the Sun

The new mosaics reveal unprecedented details of the Sun’s surface, magnetic fields, and dynamic plasma flows.

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft has released the most detailed full-disc images of the Sun’s surface, captured from 74 million kilometers away in March 2023.
The images are mosaics stitched from 25 individual photographs, achieving a resolution of 175 kilometers per pixel and showcasing intricate details of the Sun’s photosphere and corona.
Key features revealed include sunspots, plasma flows, and the Sun’s complex magnetic field, which were mapped using instruments like the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI).
The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) provided ultraviolet views of the Sun’s corona, highlighting plasma loops and magnetic activity in the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
These high-resolution images offer critical insights into the Sun’s behavior and magnetic forces, advancing our understanding of solar dynamics and their impact on the Solar System.