Overview

• The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter has released the first-ever footage of the solar wind's twisting motion, recorded in October 2022 using the Metis coronagraph.
• The footage, published in *The Astrophysical Journal*, shows charged particles in the Sun's inner corona spiraling outward in a cyclone-like motion.
• The Metis instrument is uniquely capable of observing the Sun's outer atmosphere by blocking direct sunlight, enabling high-resolution imaging of the solar wind's behavior.
• These findings aim to improve understanding of the solar wind's origin and acceleration, which could enhance forecasting of solar storms and their impact on Earth's technology.
• This international mission between ESA and NASA marks a significant advancement in solar physics, building on decades of research into the Sun's dynamics and magnetic field.