The first 3D view of our Sun's violent solar storms

Space · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: To understand the storms hitting Earth, scientists needed more than a single perspective. NASA's STEREO mission provided the first-ever 3D views of coronal mass ejections, allowing researchers to track these massive eruptions from the Sun's surface all the way to our orbit.

Launched in 2006, the STEREO mission utilized two spacecraft—STEREO-A (Ahead) and STEREO-B (Behind)—to observe the Sun from multiple vantage points. By orbiting the Sun and drifting relative to Earth at about 20 degrees per year, the twin satellites allowed scientists to see the Sun's surface and its constant outflow of solar wind from different angles. This configuration provided the first full, 360-degree view of the Sun, including the far side that faces away from Earth.

The mission's primary objective is to decode the mechanics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). By observing these eruptions from side views of the Earth-Sun line, researchers can better understand what triggers them, their internal structures, and the specific paths they take through the solar system. To enhance the precision of space weather predictions, this information is vital for pinpointing where the Sun's atmosphere accelerates energetic particles.

While STEREO-B was decommissioned in 2018 after failing to return data since 2014, STEREO-A remains active. It continues to provide unique data that, when combined with other missions like SDO and SOHO, helps scientists prepare for solar impacts. During 2012, the project recorded an intense solar disturbance that surpassed the magnitude of any event documented over the preceding 150 years. Recent updates from the Living With a Star Program further detail the specific materials these storms produce as they impact our planet.

Ultimately, the mission serves as a cornerstone for heliophysics. STEREO connects solar phenomena with their effects on Earth's environmental and technological security by observing inner solar system weather events and photographing areas probed by in-situ tools.

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