Explore Solar Orbiter

Overview

In this lesson students will explore the Solar Orbiter Mission. The lesson includes a brief mission overview, an introduction to the instruments aboard the spacecraft, and a data analysis activity.

Procedure

Introduce the Mission: 
An international cooperative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, Solar Orbiter is a Sun-observing satellite that takes close-up images of the Sun, observing the solar wind and the Sun’s polar regions. This is the first mission to study the Sun’s poles. Until now, spacecraft (and ground-based telescopes) have never been able to clearly see the Sun's poles, because none ever reached further than 7° from the Sun's equator.

Show students a short video with the mission overview: 

Video Questions:

1. Why is every image of the Sun you have ever seen of its equator?
2. What did the Solar Orbiter observe at the Sun’s south pole in 2025?
3. What do the observations indicate about where the Sun is in its cycle?

Analyze Data: 
Use the Explore Solar Orbiter slides to have students analyze Solar Orbiter data. You can lead students through the slides or let them lead themselves. Use the Explorer Solar Orbiter student sheets for students to complete the hands on portion.

Share Observations: 

Just like scientists do, have students share their observations in small groups and then have them report out to the class about their findings.