British SULIS solar storm mission plan announced

At the National Astronomical Conference held in Lancaster, England, Dr. Emmon Scullion of Northumbria University revealed the mission plan of SULIS, a British-led solar energy project, which aims to answer basic questions about the physics of solar storms. For the first time, the mission will use six small formation flying satellites CubeSat to directly measure the coronal magnetic field.

Solar storms occur when solar flares trigger Coulomb mass ejection (a huge magnetic cloud of charged gas). When these charged particles interact with our upper atmosphere, we can see amazing northern lights and southern lights, but they can also cause great damage. Solar weather events may cause radio interruption, disrupt mobile phone networks and damage satellites.

Solar storms are inevitable, but through SULIS, we will understand their basic components, so as to more accurately predict when the next big solar storm will come and issue an early warning, which will enable us to take measures to minimize losses.

SULIS, named after the Celtic goddess of the sun, also stands for continuous imaging spectrophotometer. SULIS plans to use three pairs of synchronous satellites, which will fly in clusters in different favorable positions, thus achieving a true 3D perspective. Using high-definition induction, it is hoped that SULIS can reveal the composition, density, speed and potential threat to the earth of charged gas clouds.