The Sun is a star.
It's a star that we often describe as average, run of the mill,
just ordinary.
Yet this ordinary star is responsible
for helping to sustain all life on Earth.
No other star that we know of has that level of responsibility,
and that's pretty extraordinary if you ask me.
The Sun is a living, breathing star.
It is active, dynamic and ever-changing
just like us.
Its influence can be felt in every aspect of society
from agriculture and economics, to arts and culture,
as well as the physical, mental and emotional health of human beings.
The Sun touches everything.
And to highlight the importance of our extraordinarily
ordinary star, NASA is hosting the Heliophysics Big Year.
Beginning with the annular solar eclipse in October of 2023,
continuing with a total solar eclipse in April of 2024,
and ending with Parker Solar Probe’s closest approach
to the Sun in December of 2024,
the Heliophysics Big Year is a global celebration of solar science
and the Sun's influence on everything.
Over the course of the year we are challenging everyone -
including the public, the science community,
and you - to participate in as many Sun-related activities as possible.
Heliophysics is the study of the Sun
and its influence on, well, everything.
NASA has a fleet of strategically placed spacecraft that work alongside other
missions from NASA and space agencies around the globe to monitor the Sun
twenty-four seven.
Together, we are working to increase our understanding of solar phenomena
such as solar flares, the solar wind, and space weather.
We have missions
studying everything from Earth's uppermost atmosphere
where the International Space Station lives, to our 45-year-old Voyager mission
that is investigating the outer boundaries of our solar system.
We've even had one mission that has actually entered the Sun's atmosphere.
Parker Solar Probe touched the Sun.
Studying these complex systems helps us better
understand our universe, including our solar system,
distant stars, exoplanets, and our search for life on other planets.
Understanding the Sun's activity is critical to all of NASA's
endeavors, especially our human exploration efforts.
It underpins our Artemis missions, enables us to protect technology on Earth
and in space, helps safeguard our astronauts
and allows us to voyage to Mars and beyond.
The Heliophysics Big Year is a unifying effort
designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and wonder.
We invite you to engage in the world
around you with intention and curiosity.
We invite you to experience
the annular and total solar eclipses with us.
We invite you to do science
and to experience our Sun in different ways.
Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for communities
across the globe to participate in Sun-related activities
such as experiencing solar eclipses and auroras,
joining citizen science projects such as HARP and Spritacular, creating
Sun-inspired art, music, fashion and food,
and a host of other fun heliophysics activities.
So, please join us for the Heliophysics Big Year
and help us celebrate our extraordinarily ordinary star.