A joint South Korean and US spacecraft designed to study the Sun's corona has been successfully launched. The solar coronagraph, named CODEX, was sent into Earth's orbit on November 5th and will be attached to the International Space Station (ISS).

CODEX, a cylindrical device weighing 220 kilograms, will enable scientists to study the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere, in unprecedented detail. The corona is significantly hotter than the Sun's surface, and its high temperature has been a long-standing mystery.

Traditional methods of observing the corona have been limited due to the overwhelming brightness of the Sun's surface. However, CODEX, equipped with specialized instruments, can create an artificial eclipse, allowing for continuous observation of the corona.

By studying the corona, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of solar phenomena such as solar wind, which can disrupt communication systems and power grids on Earth.

The launch of CODEX marks a significant milestone in solar research and demonstrates the growing collaboration between South Korea and the United States in space exploration.