A new instrument called PUNCH, short for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere, has been launched to study the sun's corona and heliosphere. The instrument, which was launched on June 27, 2020, will use its four telescopes to capture images of the sun's corona in 3D.
PUNCH's observations will help scientists understand the relationship between the sun's corona and the heliosphere, the bubble of charged particles that surrounds the sun. The instrument will also help researchers study the solar wind, a stream of charged particles that flows from the sun.
The PUNCH mission is expected to provide valuable insights into the sun's activity and its impact on Earth. The data collected by PUNCH will help scientists better understand space weather, which can affect satellites, power grids, and other critical infrastructure.