The PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere)

Mission is a project launched by NASA in 2025. Its primary goal is to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) and the solar wind as a single, continuous system. The mission uses advanced polarimetric imaging to capture and visualise the solar wind—an otherwise invisible stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun.

Scientific Significance

Solar wind plays a crucial role in shaping space weather, but it is challenging to observe directly. PUNCH enables scientists to track how solar particles move from the corona into interplanetary space. This data helps improve our understanding of how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and other celestial bodies, ultimately enhancing our ability to predict space weather events.

Relevance During Solar Maximum

The mission comes at a critical time as the Sun is currently undergoing a solar maximum—a period marked by increased sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These solar events release large amounts of energy and particles into space, posing risks to satellites, astronauts, navigation systems, and power infrastructure on Earth. PUNCH helps monitor these phenomena, improving our ability to forecast and mitigate their effects.

Applications in Space Weather Forecasting

By visualising the movement of the solar wind and detecting early signs of solar storms, PUNCH supports early warning systems for space weather. This is essential for the protection of satellites, spacecraft, astronauts, and critical Earth-based technology such as GPS and communication networks.

Global Collaboration and Outreach

The mission also focuses on international scientific collaboration and public outreach. Its findings are shared through conferences, academic partnerships, and public talks, such as recent events held in Thiruvananthapuram, India. These efforts aim to raise public awareness about space science and inspire interest in solar research among students and scientists worldwide.