Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
The research focus of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research is our cosmic neighborhood: the solar system with its planets and moons, comets and asteroids as well as the sun. The aim of the scientists is to describe the processes in the solar system in models and to simulate them on the computer. In addition, instruments are being developed and built to study these bodies from space. The Institute is involved in numerous space missions. More info.
High Distinction for Prof. Dr. Ulrich Christensen
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Christensen, director emeritus at MPS, has been elected an international member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The association thus recognizes Christensen's significant contributions to the understanding of dynamical processes inside the Earth and other planets. Membership in the NAS is considered one of the highest honors for scientists. From 2002 until 2020, Christensen led the MPS department “Planets and Comets” as director.
Solar Orbiter images first coronal mass ejections
On 10 February of this year, ESA’s Solar Orbiter flew behind the Sun during a close perihelion pass. Since the spacecraft is still on the way to its final science orbits, several of its instruments were turned on only for commissioning. Nevertheless, the instruments EUI, Metis, and SoloHI all caught a glimpse of two spectacular coronal mass ejections which have now been compiled in one movie. Scientists and engineers from MPS contributed to both the Metis and the EUI instruments and are currently continuing to analyse the data.
Picture Gallery:
Preparing for the 3rd Flight of Sunrise
In the clean rooms at MPS, the balloon-borne solar observatory Sunrise III is gradually taking shape. Launch is planned for the summer of 2022. Sunrise III will look at the Sun from the stratosphere with the help of a 1-meter telescope and three scientific instruments.
The MPS in times of corona: Current status
The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research takes the current risk situation due to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 very seriously. It is the Institute's primary objective to minimize the risk of infection for its staff and to contribute in general to minimizing the spread of the virus.
Read more about current measures and restrictions here.