The joint US-European spacecraft Solar Orbiter flew around Venus for the first time. This is one of
The solar orbiter approachedVenus at a distance of 7.5 thousand kilometers. The probe, created in partnership between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in February, was supposed to spend seven years studying the Sun. But to get as close to the star as scientists want, the spacecraft needs to do a few maneuvers. Therefore, scientists want the device to also study the atmosphere of Venus.
NASA satellite detects nanojets as the solar corona heats up for the first time
“This mission is not specifically forobservations of Venus. However, we are always looking for bonus opportunities to do science, so yes, we will conduct observations when we approach Venus again, ”the researchers noted.
During today's flight, scientists collecteddata from a spacecraft magnetometer, an instrument for measuring radio and plasma waves and some sensors on an energy particle detector. Given these instruments and the solar orbiter's distance from Venus, observations will have "limited impact on science," NASA researchers noted.
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