A startling new Sun

There is only one star that we can observe from 5 microparsec - our Sun, which is of enormous scientific interest in its own right, and also continues to be of great importance for Solar System science and astronomy as a whole. Many basic questions about the Sun have not yet been answered and many fundamental space and cosmic plasma processes can be studied there in detail. The satellite SOHO is bringing an unprecedented wealth of data about the Sun, making it possible for solar physicists to address these questions in depth. The results confirm some ideas but may also spring some surprises.