In 2025, heliophysics is poised to lead the charge in space exploration, with a series of missions dedicated to studying the Sun and its vast influence. Heliophysics is the integrated study of the Sun and its relationship with the solar system as a dynamic, interconnected system. It highlights how the Sun’s behaviour directly impacts the planets and other elements of the solar system, creating a complex, ongoing interplay. 

From its formative role in the solar system to its effect on Earth’s technology, studying heliophysics is essential for understanding the immediate and far-reaching impacts of our nearest star. This research aids in predicting solar storms that can disrupt satellite communications and power grids. Groundbreaking missions like PUNCH, IMAP, and the Parker Solar Probe are expanding our understanding, and uncovering the intricate interactions between the Sun and its cosmic surroundings.

Heliophysics explained: A guide to the science of the sun

Heliophysics fundamentally explores the Sun’s chaotic magnetic behaviour, which impacts the upper atmospheres of Earth and other planets through its far-reaching heliosphere — the region of space influenced by the Sun and its solar wind

According to NASA’s planet distance chart, the heliosphere extends approximately 100 astronomical units — equivalent to 14.9 billion kilometres. For reference, Earth is one astronomical unit away from the sun. It consists of plasma, magnetic fields, and radiation emitted by the Sun, which interact with environments spanning from the Sun’s nuclear core to the boundary of the heliosphere and interstellar space. 

The heliosphere acts as a shield, protecting the planets from harmful galactic cosmic rays — the existing radiation in space. Earth’s magnetosphere provides an additional layer of defence, safeguarding us from solar radiation and preventing atmospheric erosion caused by the solar wind. In contrast, planets without magnetic fields — such as Mars and Venus — are vulnerable to these processes, leading to significant differences in the evolution of their atmospheres and surfaces

Exploring new frontiers: The space missions set to redefine 2025

In the coming year, several ambitious missions are poised to advance our understanding of heliophysics:

  • PUNCH (Polarimeter to UNify the Corona and Heliosphere) 

PUNCH is a NASA mission designed to use four small satellites to continuously image the Sun’s outer corona of the Sun and its transition into the solar wind, which drives phenomena like the northern lights. The corona — the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere — is usually obscured by the intense brightness of the Sun’s surface. By conducting detailed investigations of the outer corona, the mission aims to provide new insights into the Sun and the solar wind as a connected system, addressing a critical gap in understanding the Sun-Earth connection.

  • IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) 

IMAP aims to explore the heliosphere’s boundary and how the solar wind interacts with the galaxy while addressing two critical questions in heliophysics: how charged particles, such as ions and electrons, are energized, and how the solar wind interacts with interstellar material, including gas, dust, and radiation fields. Equipped with 10 advanced instruments, the mission will study a broad range of particle energies and types, providing new insights into the dynamics of the outermost region of our solar system.

  • Parker Solar Probe

Launched on August 12, 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun by becoming the first spacecraft to ‘touch’ it. Flying through the Sun’s corona and enduring extreme heat and radiation, the probe provides humanity with the closest-recorded observations of our star. Using the gravity of seven Venus flybys to gradually shrink its orbit, the spacecraft approaches the Sun closer with each pass while conserving fuel.

 On December 24, 2024, the Parker Solar Probe survived its record-breaking closest approach to the Sun, reaching a speed of 692,000 kilometres per hour. It became both the fastest human-made object and the closest to the Sun, flying within 6.1 million kilometres of its surface — seven times closer than any previous spacecraft. This seven-year mission aims to provide vital insights into how the Sun’s changing conditions affect the solar system, including Earth.

Charting new paths: The future of heliophysics research

The forthcoming heliophysics missions will advance space exploration and improve life on Earth. Despite extensive study, heliophysics still struggles to fully explain the solar corona’s extreme temperatures, which are significantly higher than the Sun’s surface. Enhanced understanding of space weather will support interplanetary travel, improve forecasting, and reduce disruption to satellites, power systems, and communications. 

In addition to their practical advantages, these missions aim to deepen our understanding of the Sun’s influence on the evolution of planetary environments. By pushing the boundaries of science and technology, they not only help protect our planet but also pave the way for humanity’s future among the stars.