Speaking at the National Astronomy Conference in Lancaster, UK, Dr Eamon Scullion of Northumbria University revealed the mission plans for SULIS, a solar project UK-led research aimed at answering fundamental questions about the physics of solar storms. . The mission, which will use a fleet of six small CubeSats flying in formation, will provide the first direct measurement of the magnetic field in the solar corona.
Solar storms occur when a solar flare triggers a Coulomb mass ejection (a giant magnetic cloud of electrically charged gas). When these charged particles interact with our upper atmosphere, we see stunning northern and southern lights, but they can also cause a lot of damage. Solar weather events can cause radio outages, disrupt cell phone networks, damage thes satellites, etc.
Solar storms are inevitable, but with SULIS we will understand their basic elements to more accurately predict when the next “big solar storm” will arrive and provide advanced warnings that allow us to take action. to minimize losses.
SULIS is named after the Celtic sun goddess, which also means continuous imaging spectrophotometer. The SULIS program will feature three pairs of geostationary satellites that will fly in swarms to different observation points, allowing a true 3D perspective. Using high-definition detection, it is hoped that SULIS will be able to reveal the composition, density, speed of charged gas clouds and their potential threat to Earth.