Scientists are set to outline a mission sending a Solar Orbiter to the sun at a major conference this week.  It’s mission:

To be the first satellite to provide close-up views of the Sun’s polar regions, which are very difficult to see from Earth, providing images from latitudes higher than 30 degrees. It will be able to tune to the Sun’s rotation around its axis for several days, and so it will be able for the first time to see solar storms building up over an extended period from the same viewpoint. It will also deliver data of the side of the Sun not visible from Earth.

With a tentative launch of 2015 and its 15-inch-thick heat shield, the little orbiter will get with in 20 million miles from the sun.  With high expectations,  scientists are hoping it will answer some of their most intriguing questions:  Why the suns outer atmosphere is hotter than its surface?  And what causes solar wind, sun spots and flares?  For more information about the Solar Orbiter , please visit the ESA website.