The Heliophysics Big Year
The Heliophysics Big Year is a global celebration of the Sun’s influence on Earth and the entire solar system. From Oct. 14, 2023, to Dec. 24, 2024, we are challenging you to participate in as many Sun-related activities as you can!
A Big Year for Our Sun
During the Heliophysics Big Year, we are challenging you to participate in as many Sun-related activities as you can!
Whether it's watching a solar eclipse, experiencing an aurora, participating in citizen science projects, or hosting a Sun party, we've got a year full of ways to celebrate the Sun!
Learn more from Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.
Highlights of the Big Year
Annular Eclipse
On Oct. 14, 2023, an annular eclipse was visible from parts of the western United States.
Parker Solar Probe's Closest Approach
On Dec. 24, 2024, a record-breaking NASA mission will make its closest approach of the Sun.
Monthly Themes
Bonus Science
November 2024
Did you know that some heliophysics missions have revealed unexpected discoveries? Although these missions are scattered across the solar system to learn more about the Sun and its influence, some missions have also found new information that contributes to other scientific disciplines — what we like to call “bonus science.”
Even though bonus science can be surprising, scientists often look for opportunities to take advantage of spacecraft capabilities and locations to see what they can spot beyond the scope of the mission. These findings help scientists work together and develop new ways to use existing technology.
Bonus Science
November 2024
Scientists invite you to help with bonus science! Citizen scientists have helped discover more than 5,000 comets using the ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and NASA Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) heliophysics missions. Learn how to get involved.
Spot Venus in your night sky! On Nov. 6, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will make its final flyby of Venus. Parker’s earlier flybys unexpectedly revealed features on the planet’s surface. See if you can find Venus in the evening sky, right after sunset, as Parker flies past it one more time.
This month, we also encourage you to explore scientific disciplines beyond heliophysics. After all — the Sun touches everything!
– Play the Roman Space Observer to learn about NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
– Help monitor the conditions of clouds, water, and plants, and see change over time with Globe Observer.
– Make a Pinwheel Galaxy pinwheel.
– Create a sound cone to listen to tiny sounds, similar to the way radio antennas listen for signals from NASA spacecraft.
Bonus Science
November 2024
In October 2024, the ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) captured images of the second-brightest comet to ever pass through its field of view during the spacecraft’s nearly 29-year career.
Between Oct. 7 and 11, the comet blazed through the view of SOHO’s LASCO (Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment) instrument, which uses a disk to block out the bright light of the Sun so it’s easier to see details and objects near the Sun. This image, taken by SOHO on Oct. 10, 2024, shows the comet and its bright tail streaming from the upper left to the right. Mercury appears as a bright dot on the left.
