NASA is set to launch a groundbreaking mission, called PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere), that will provide unprecedented insights into the solar wind. The constellation of four small satellites will monitor the sun’s corona as it transitions into the solar wind, shedding light on the mysteries of space weather.
The PUNCH satellites will be equipped with polarimeters, which filter out light particles in specific directions, allowing them to detect the weak polarized light signal emitted by electrons carried on the solar wind. This data will help scientists understand the fine structure of the solar wind and its interaction with the Earth’s magnetic field.
By combining PUNCH’s observations with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, the mission will provide a comprehensive understanding of the solar wind streaming away from the sun’s corona. The two missions will also team up with the upcoming IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission to study the solar wind as it journeys towards the outer boundary of the heliosphere.
The PUNCH mission is expected to revolutionize how space weather is forecasted, enabling scientists to track space-weather events in three dimensions. With this groundbreaking technology, researchers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between the sun’s corona and the solar wind, ultimately improving our ability to predict and prepare for severe space weather events.
PUNCH is scheduled to launch on March 4, marking an exciting new chapter in NASA’s efforts to unravel the mysteries of the solar wind.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/sun/nasa-set-to-deliver-a-knock-out-punch-to-mysteries-of-the-solar-wind