Since its launch, the Solar Orbiter has conducted numerous close approaches to the Sun, significantly advancing our understanding of solar phenomena, including solar wind.

On March 9, 2025, the Solar Orbiter captured a stunning composite image of the Sun's corona, its million-degree atmosphere, from a distance of approximately 77 million kilometers.

Launched in February 2020, the Solar Orbiter is a collaborative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, aimed at studying the Sun’s outer atmosphere and magnetic activity.

Understanding the Sun is crucial not only for solar studies but also for comprehending stellar physics and evolution, as many processes observed in the Sun occur throughout the universe.

Not only is the image a visual marvel, but it also provides valuable data for researchers studying solar heating, plasma dynamics, and space weather forecasting.

The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), developed by the Royal Observatory of Belgium, is instrumental in capturing the dynamic structures of the Sun's corona.

The mission focuses on understanding solar atmosphere dynamics, including the behavior of magnetic fields and their role in solar storms that can impact Earth.

This image was taken in a 5x5 grid pattern, resulting in six high-resolution and two wide-angle images that reveal intricate details such as coronal loops, solar prominences, and filaments.

For further details and interactive explanations of the Sun's regions, additional resources are available on the ESA website.

The image showcases spun-sugar-like particles in the Sun's magnetic field, illustrating the dynamic interactions within its atmosphere.

The final image measures 12,544 x 12,544 pixels, allowing for a zoomable version available on the ESA website to explore highlighted key features.

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can affect Earth by triggering geomagnetic storms, underscoring the importance of studying solar activity.