Gibson, S. E., Vourlidas, A., Hassler, D. M., Rachmeler, L. A., Thompson, M. J., Newmark, J., … McIntosh, S. W. (2018). Solar physics from unconventional viewpoints. Frontiers In Astronomy And Space Sciences, 5, 32. doi:10.3389/fspas.2018.00032
We explore new opportunities for solar physics that could be realized by future missions providing sustained observations from vantage points away from the Sun-Earth line. These include observations from the far side of the Sun, at high latitudes including over the solar poles, or from near-quadr... Show moreWe explore new opportunities for solar physics that could be realized by future missions providing sustained observations from vantage points away from the Sun-Earth line. These include observations from the far side of the Sun, at high latitudes including over the solar poles, or from near-quadrature angles relative to the Earth (e.g., the Sun-Earth L4 and L5 Lagrangian points). Such observations fill known holes in our scientific understanding of the three-dimensional, time-evolving Sun and heliosphere, and have the potential to open new frontiers through discoveries enabled by novel viewpoints. Show less