By Dean Murray

Scientists have revealed their analysis of the first close-up view of the Sun's south pole.

ESA's spacecraft Solar Orbiter had its first clear view of the region in March.

Analysis of the data has now been published, which reveals magnetic fields speeding toward the pole much faster than expected—reshaping key ideas about the Sun’s powerful cycles.

The research investigated a refined picture of the supergranulation and magnetic network of the Sun at the south pole for the first time.

Supergranules are cells of hot plasma, about two to three times the size of Earth, which densely cover the surface of the Sun.

The study in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters , led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute (MPS) in Germany, analysed measurements that provi

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