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.
Long-period oscillations of the Sun discovered
A team of solar physicists led by Laurent Gizon MPS and the University of Göttingen has reported the discovery of global oscillations of the Sun with very long periods, comparable to the 27-day solar rotation period. The oscillations manifest themselves at the solar surface as swirling motions with speeds on the order of 5 kilometers per hour. These motions were measured by analyzing 10 years of observations from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
No Phosphine in Venus Clouds
Measurement data published a year ago, contain no evidence of the trace gas phosphine in the clouds of Venus. This is the conclusion of an international team of researchers including a MPS scientist, who have now carefully examined the measurement data. Their analysis is a contribution to the scientific discussion about the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, which was reported by British researchers in 2020. The toxic trace gas phosphine is known on Earth as a metabolic product of bacteria.
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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.
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Please also have a look at the job offers at the web pages in German.