Helio and You: July 2026 - NASA Science
Heliophysics is an important cornerstone of the history of astronomy, and many of the pioneers in this field have been American. This informative article goes in depth about some of their discoveries.
LevelsIntermediate (6-8)Advanced (9-12+)Material TypeArticle/Informative TextHeliophysics Big IdeasBig Idea 1. 1 – The Sun is really big…Big Idea 1. 2 – The Sun is active…Big Idea 2. 2 – The Sun defines the space…Big Idea 2. 3 – The Sun is the primary source of light…Big Idea 3. 1 – The Sun is made of churning plasma…NGSSESS1 - Earth's Place in the UniverseESS2 - Earth's SystemsESS3 - Earth and Human ActivityPS1 - Matter and its InteractionsPS3 - EnergyHeliophysics TopicsAtmosphereAuroraCoronaCoronal Mass EjectionElectromagnetic SpectrumElectromagnetismEnergyGeomagnetic StormLightSolar FlareSpace WeatherSunHeliophysics MissionsParker Solar ProbePUNCHSTEREO A & BSolar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)WINDMaterial Cost per LearnerFreeLanguageEnglishScientific achievement has been a part of the American identity for as long as that identity has existed. Heliophysics is an important cornerstone of the history of astronomy, and many of the pioneers in this field have been American. These heliophysics pioneers have helped to shape their field from its earliest days, from helping to catalyze the field of heliophysics as we know it today, to the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts in 1958 to the ongoing voyage of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe today. This informative and engaging article goes in depth about some of these discoveries, using the life and achievements of George Ellery Hale as a lens through which to see the larger picture of heliophysics history in the United States. Find the article here↗