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Heliophysics Big Year

Introduction

The Heliophysics Big Year is a global celebration of solar science and the Sun’s influence on Earth and the entire solar system. Join us October 2023 to December 2024!

Credit: NASA

What is the Heliophysics Big Year?

What is the Heliophysics Big Year?
During the Heliophysics Big Year, you will have the opportunity to participate in many solar science events such as watching solar eclipses, experiencing an aurora, participating in citizen science projects, and other fun Sun-related activities.

What is heliophysics?
Heliophysics is the study of our star and how it interacts with everything in our solar system.

What is a Big Year?
The “Big Year” is a concept that originated with citizen scientists in the bird-watching community. During their Big Year, birders attempt to observe and study as many bird species as possible during a calendar year, and we are challenging you to do the same with our Sun.

Image of coronal rain on the sun. — On July 19, 2012, million-degree plasma in the Sun's atmosphere began to cool and fall to the surface, resulting in a dazzling magnetic display known as coronal rain.

Explore Heliophysics

Explore Heliophysics

Heliophysics Info

Learn more about heliophysics and why NASA studies it.
Eclipses

Join NASA to experience solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024.
Heliophysics Citizen Science Projects

Choose a citizen science project where you can do real scientific research and contribute to important scientific discoveries in collaboration with NASA heliophysics scientists.
Heliophysics Missions

Find out which NASA missions are exploring our Sun and its influence on the solar system.

NASA Sun on Social

Connect with NASA Sun on Social

Sun News

This is the most zoomed-in, highest frame-rate observation of a Phobos solar eclipse ever taken from the surface of Mars.

What does a Solar Eclipse Look Like on Mars?

What does a Solar Eclipse Look Like on Mars?

On April 30, 2022, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, and the Pacific and Southern Oceans.

Partial Solar Eclipse on April 30, 2022

Partial Solar Eclipse on April 30, 2022

The Sun emitted a mid-level solar flare on March 31, 2022, peaking at 2:35 p.m. EST.

Mid-Level Solar Flare Erupts From Sun

Mid-Level Solar Flare Erupts From Sun

NASA has selected two science missions to help improve our understanding of the dynamics of the Sun and its connection to Earth.

New Sun Missions to Help NASA Better Understand Earth-Sun Environment

New Sun Missions to Help NASA Better Understand Earth-Sun Environment

The Next Full Moon is the Wolf Moon, Ice Moon, the Moon after Yule, and the Old Moon.

Full Moon Guide: January - February 2022

Full Moon Guide: January - February 2022

Deploying a new space telescope; deflecting an asteroid with a spacecraft; and visiting a metal-rich asteroid. NASA has a busy 2022 calendar.

10 Things to Watch for in Planetary Science for 2022

10 Things to Watch for in Planetary Science for 2022

For the Northern Hemisphere, the winter (December) solstice happens around Dec. 21-22.

December Solstice Brings Winter, Summer Seasons

December Solstice Brings Winter, Summer Seasons

For the first time in history, a spacecraft has touched the Sun. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has now flown through the Sun’s upper atmosphere.

NASA Enters the Solar Atmosphere for the First Time

NASA Enters the Solar Atmosphere for the First Time

NASA's LCRD and a space weather payload to study the Sun’s radiation lifted off on Dec. 7, 2021.

NASA's Laser Communications Tech, Science Experiment Safely in Space

NASA's Laser Communications Tech, Science Experiment Safely in Space

This image shows how Earth looked during the total solar eclipse visible in Antarctica on Dec. 4, 2021.

Eclipse Over Antarctica

Eclipse Over Antarctica

The solar system is encased in a bubble called the heliosphere, which separates us from the vast galaxy beyond.

Studying the Edge of the Sun's Magnetic Bubble

Studying the Edge of the Sun's Magnetic Bubble

The Next Full Moon is the Harvest Moon, the Fruit Moon, the Barley Moon, and the Corn Moon.

Full Moon Guide: September - October 2021

Full Moon Guide: September - October 2021

One of the CubeSats launching with Landsat 9 is the Cusp Plasma Imaging Detector, or CuPID.

CuPID CubeSat Will Get New Perspective on Sun-Earth Boundary

CuPID CubeSat Will Get New Perspective on Sun-Earth Boundary

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory's Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment, or EVE, uses sounding rockets for calibration.

Rocket Flight to Sharpen NASA's Study of the Sun

Rocket Flight to Sharpen NASA's Study of the Sun

Models and lab tests suggest the asteroid could be venting sodium vapor as it orbits close to the Sun, explaining its increase in brightness.

Fizzing Sodium Could Explain Asteroid Phaethon's Cometlike Activity

Fizzing Sodium Could Explain Asteroid Phaethon's Cometlike Activity

The images show Venus approaching from the left while the Sun is off-camera to the upper right.

During Close Pass, Solar Orbiter Captures Venus' Glare

During Close Pass, Solar Orbiter Captures Venus' Glare

New research led by NASA provides a closer look at a nearby star thought to resemble our Sun when it was much younger.

NASA Model Describes Nearby Star which Resembles Ours in its Youth

NASA Model Describes Nearby Star which Resembles Ours in its Youth

Artificial intelligence is being used to calibrate NASA’s images of the Sun, helping improve the data scientists use for research.

Artificial Intelligence Helps Improve NASA's Eyes on the Sun

Artificial Intelligence Helps Improve NASA's Eyes on the Sun

Scientists have discovered slowly oscillating swells in the Sun’s surface, with periods comparable to the Sun’s 27-day rotation.

Huge Waves in the Sun Discovered with NASA Mission

Huge Waves in the Sun Discovered with NASA Mission

For its efforts to untangle the long-standing mysteries of the Sun, the Parker Solar Probe team has earned a major award.

Parker Solar Probe Team Earns Aerospace Award from the National Space Club and Foundation

Parker Solar Probe Team Earns Aerospace Award from the National Space Club and Foundation

This composite image made from seven frames shows the space station in silhouette as it transits the Sun on June 25, 2021.

Space Station Transits the Sun

Space Station Transits the Sun

Scientists have used total solar eclipses for over a century to learn more about our universe, including deciphering the Sun’s structure.

Total Solar Eclipses Shine a Light on the Solar Wind with Help from ACE

Total Solar Eclipses Shine a Light on the Solar Wind with Help from ACE

A partial solar eclipse over the U.S. Capitol on June 10, 2021, as seen from Arlington, Virginia.

Partial Solar Eclipse over the U.S. Capitol

Partial Solar Eclipse over the U.S. Capitol

New research confirms how particles from space can be sent careening down into Earth’s atmosphere to create the aurora.

Lab Experiments Shed New Light on NASA Satellite Observations

Lab Experiments Shed New Light on NASA Satellite Observations

The Sun has revealed new clues that could help scientists solve the mystery of what causes its powerful and unpredictable eruptions.

Rosetta Stone Eruption on the Sun Could Help Explain Solar Explosions

Rosetta Stone Eruption on the Sun Could Help Explain Solar Explosions