NASA's Solar Orbiter snaps closest pictures of Sun, data hints at solar features never observed in such detail
Image Credit: NASA
The NASA on Thursday released the closest pictures ever taken of the Sun by the Solar Orbiter. Launched on February 9 (EST), the spacecraft completed its first close pass of the Sun in mid-June. The spacecraft completed commissioning just in time for its first close solar pass on June 15. As it flew within 48 million miles of the Sun, all 10 instruments flicked on, and Solar Orbiter snapped the closest pictures of the Sun to date.