Thanks to #ESA’s #Solar Orbiter mission (in collaboration with #NASA and with the crucial support of the #ASI), scientists have been able to observe and analyse more than 300 #explosions of high-energy solar electrons between 2020 and 2022.
For the first time, these #particles have been traced back to their origins:
- solar flares – smaller, sudden explosions releasing electrons rapidly.
- coronal mass ejections – larger eruptions of hot gas, releasing electrons more gradually but in much greater numbers.
This breakthrough was made possible by the combination of instruments on board the spacecraft, including the #METIS coronagraph, designed by INAF and developed by OHB Italia S.p.A. together with Thales Alenia Space Italia under the coordination of ASI.
#METIS observed the #Sun up close, distinguishing and tracing the sources of these energetic #outbursts. This is a key achievement not only for science but also for safety: understanding how these particles are born and propagate means better protecting satellites, astronauts and technologies on Earth from the effects of Space Weather.
With the contribution of OHB Italia S.p.A. , space research continues to “shed light” on the mysteries of the Sun, turning complex data into knowledge that benefits all of us.
#SolarOrbiter #Metis #OHBItalia #SpaceWeather #Innovation #Satellite
