Solar Orbiter spacecraft will capture the sun's north and south poles

Scientists hope the telescope will capture the imagination like 'science fiction'

The sun's uncharted north and south poles are set to be revealed for the first time by an ambitious mission that will fly above our home star and beam back images.

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft, a joint Nasa and European Space Agency (ESA) mission, is set to be launched from Cape Canaveral just after 4am UK time on Monday morning, and will reach its vantage point above the planetary plane by the end of 2021.