Spacecraft Launched by NASA, ESA Sends Back Images of Sun

1 ~~~ Spacecraft Launched by NASA, ESA Sends Back the Closest-ever Images of the Sun ~~~

The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA released the closest images of the sun ever taken on Thursday.

Captured by the Solar Orbiter, a spacecraft launched in collaboration by both agencies in February, these images could be the first step towards understanding the mysteries of the center of our solar system.The first images sent back to Earth were taken at a distance of about 48 million miles away from the sun. As it journeys through space, the orbiter passes Mercury, reaching a distance of about 26 million miles away from the sun. (For comparison, the Earth is about 93 million miles away.)

As the orbiter moves closer towards the sun, the images sent back to Earth will become more sharp and clear, revealing more previously unknown features of the sun.

www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/space-astronomy/solar-orbiter-nasa-esa-closest-image-sun ~ 16 July 2020 ~

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