Heliophysics

Understanding the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system

An overview for NASA's Heliophysics division explains how NASA studies the sun--and more importantly--how it affects our daily lives. > Download Video

Mission Statement

At the center of our solar system there is a magnetic variable star, our Sun, that affects the planets, including the Earth, and sculptures the flows of interplanetary space itself. Heliophysics is the study of the Sun's influence throughout the solar system and, in particular, its connection to the Earth and the Earth’s extended space environment. The science of Heliophysics provides not only cultural and intellectual benefits to society, research results have direct economic and political impact in modern society.