NASA has released the first-ever 360-degree panoramic images of the Sun.

Two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (Stereo) satellites, Launched in 2006, have gradually been drifting apart -- one in front of the Earth in its orbit, the other lagging behind.

The US space agency yesterday said the spacecraft had arrived at points that put the Sun directly between them. They have, in fact, moved either side of Sun to establish observing positions.

The mission is studying the Sun's great explosive events that hurl billions of tonnes of charged particles at Earth -- events that can disrupt power grids and satellites.

These Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can also be hazardous to astronauts in space.