The Sun is the essential element of our environment. This formidable source of energy enabled life to develop on our planet and has shaped the evolution of its climate. As we see it from Earth, the Sun appears peaceful and benign. But close-up it is the scene of the most violent storms and explosions.

Since the invention of the first astronomy telescope, humans have observed the Sun. Now, SOHO, the European space observatory, launched in 1996, gives specialists a complete and uninterrupted view of the Sun, enabling them to study its varied aspects, such as oscillations, electromagnetic radiation, plasma and solar wind.

SOHO’s many discoveries include locating the origin of the solar wind, mapping the distribution of hydrogen in the heliosphere, and observing more than 1500 comets, much more all that have been listed before.

Each day the satellite collects thousands of images and items of data enabling scientists to better understand climatic phenomena on a planetary scale.

^{Last updated: August 2009}