# @europeanspaceagency on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DEZqSqANIjN
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35582239-europeanspaceagency-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2f474b8ce3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-01-04T10:50:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** J.L.Lopez (@xandler80) — https://gondola.cc/xandler80

## Caption

Earth at Perihelion: A close encounter with our star ☀️

As we welcome the new year, Earth is making its closest approach to the Sun—a phenomenon known as perihelion, which will occur on 4 January 2025 at 14:28 CET.

To celebrate this cosmic moment, we’re diving into the heart of our Solar System with fascinating data from our Solar Orbiter mission! 

This awe-inspiring video combines:

- Ultraviolet images of the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona, glowing yellow) captured by the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager.
- Solar flare activity (blue circles) recorded by the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX), revealing bursts of X-rays from energetic flares.
A mesmerising sonification of the Sun’s activity, where metallic clinks represent solar flares, and a hum reflects Solar Orbiter’s changing distance from our star.

Did you know?
Solar Orbiter travels on an elliptical orbit, making a close approach to the Sun every six months. As the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, solar flares are becoming more frequent and intense, shaping space weather across the Solar System.

Close your eyes and listen:
- The low hum intensifies as the spacecraft nears perihelion.
- Metallic clinks signal the powerful eruptions of solar flares, as twisted magnetic fields snap and release energy.

Let’s take a moment to marvel at the Sun’s brilliance, its immense power, and the extraordinary science helping us unlock its mysteries.

What fascinates you most about the Sun? Share your thoughts in the comments!

📸 ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI & STIX; @creativecommons by-SA 3.0 IGO
🎶 Klaus Nielsen (DTU Space/@maplepools)
Acknowledgements: Data processing for video by Laura Hayes

## Stats

- **Views:** 52,583
- **Likes:** 13,325
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 82

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ESA - European Space Agency | @europeanspaceagency | https://gondola.cc/europeanspaceagency | Government Organization |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Producer |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Editor |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Social Media Manager |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Publisher |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Copywriter |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Community Manager |

---
Copyright (c) Gondola