In a dramatic new finding, the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter has successfully captured a massive, spiraling jet of solar wind extending over 1.2 million miles from the Sun’s surface. This unprecedented observation provides a rare, close-up glimpse into the forces driving our solar system’s space weather. The swirling stream of solar wind was observed during the spacecraft’s perihelion passage, utilizing the Metis coronagraph, and is the focus of a new peer-reviewed study published in The Astrophysical Journal.
According to the research team, “In this paper, we present observations by Metis during its perihelion passage of a striking helical radial structure that extended from 1.5 to 3 solar radii and lasted for more than 3 hours.” These observations are considered unique because they appear to directly show the long-duration outflow of Alfvénic solar wind into the heliosphere. The accompanying video and data present the most direct look yet at how Alfvénic waves propel material from the Sun’s corona into interplanetary space—an occurrence never before captured so clearly in motion.
The remarkable structure was recorded during the Solar Orbiter’s perihelion passage—its closest approach to the Sun—on October 12, 2022. Researchers characterized the solar wind formation as a “helical radial structure” that extended from 1.5 to 3 solar radii, nearly reaching 1.3 million miles in length. The authors emphasize that these observations are “unique,” as they directly capture the prolonged release of solar wind from deep within the corona. This footage could significantly enhance scientists' understanding of how these Alfvén waves transport energy from the Sun’s surface throughout the solar system—an enduring mystery that has long puzzled solar physicists.
The significance of this video lies not only in its scale but also in its ability to showcase the solar wind at its source, rather than merely observing its effects after it reaches Earth. The solar wind influences our daily lives by triggering auroras, disrupting satellites, and affecting radio signals. Observing its emergence from the Sun in real-time equips researchers with a new tool to trace these impacts back to their origins. Until now, much of our understanding of the solar wind stemmed from data collected near Earth or was inferred from models.
The Metis instrument aboard the Solar Orbiter is the only active tool capable of capturing such subtle and detailed views of this phenomenon so close to the Sun itself. This capability is vital for advancing our knowledge of solar dynamics and the intricate processes that govern the solar wind.
The Solar Orbiter has already yielded several remarkable discoveries since its launch, including detailed views of mini-jets near the solar poles and close-up imaging of coronal eruptions. This latest capture is part of its broader mission: to observe the Sun’s poles, monitor magnetic activity, and study the formation of the solar wind with unprecedented clarity. As the mission progresses, scientists anticipate uncovering even more insights into the enigmatic workings of our Sun and its influence on the solar system.
