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.
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.
Mystery of solar cycle illuminated
Solar activity fluctuates in a rhythm of about eleven years. Scientists have long been puzzling over what causes this cycle. It must be related to the plasma flows beneath the "skin" of our star. A team of scientists led by MPS has now succeeded in drawing the most comprehensive picture of the plasma flows in nort-south-direction to date. The researchers have found a remarkably simple flow geometry: the plasma describes a single turnover in each solar hemisphere, which lasts for about 22 years.
Starting signal for Solar-C
The Japanese space agency JAXA has officially approved the space mission Solar-C. The research satellite is scheduled to lift off in the mid-2020s and study the Sun with a high-resolution spectrometer, which analyzes extremely energetic ultraviolet light. In this way, Solar-C will provide the most accurate measurement data from the hot, outer layers of the Sun to date. MPS has been involved in the planning and development of the mission from the very beginning.
In memory of
Dr. Jürgen Röttger
Dr. Jürgen Röttger, former staff member at the Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy (today: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), pioneer of the atmospheric research facility SOUSY, and long-time director of the international research association EISCAT, passed away on 31 May 2020.
With Jürgen Röttger, the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the scientific community have lost a visionary pioneer, a passionate researcher, and a good friend.