Spacecraft snaps stunning first photos of sun's south pole
The first incredible images of the sun's south pole have been sent back to Earth by a spacecraft.
The photos and video were taken by the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter spacecraft, and are the first ever captured of the area.
They'll enable scientists to learn how the sun's cycles between periods of raging storms and quiet times, which affect satellite communication and power grids on Earth.
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The first photos of the sun's south pole have been sent back to earth by a spacecraft. European Space Agency
The new images reveal a bright atmosphere which can reach one million degrees.
Carole Mundell, the agency's director of science, says the images will help scientists understand how the sun impacts crucial systems in space and on Earth.
"Today we reveal humankind's first-ever views of the sun's pole," she said.
"The sun is our nearest star, giver of life and potential disruptor of modern space and ground power systems, so it is imperative that we understand how it works and learn to predict its behaviour.
"These new unique views from our Solar Orbiter mission are the beginning of a new era of solar science."
The Solar Orbiter captured the images in March from an angle of 17 degrees below the solar equator, enough to directly see the Sun's south pole.
Over the coming years, the spacecraft will tilt its orbit even further, to offer better views.
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