(CNN) Our sun was ready for its close-up last month, and the new Solar Orbiter mission captured the closest images ever taken of the sun during its first pass. Solar Orbiter captured the many faces of the sun in different wavelengths of light during its first close pass. In the images, there are small solar flares called "campfires" that can be seen near the sun's surface. "We are looking forward to investigating this further as Solar Orbiter gets closer to the Sun and our home star becomes more active." Solar Orbiter also has a seven-year mission and will come within 26 million miles of the sun.

Source: CNN July 16, 2020 12:46 UTC