sunpy

What it is and what it does

SunPy is a mature Python library for solar physics research, providing standardized containers and tools for working with solar observation data. It abstracts away the complexity of accessing multiple data sources, handling different image formats, and managing solar-specific coordinate systems and transformations. The library sits on top of established scientific Python packages (numpy, astropy, fsspec, requests, packaging, parfive, pyerfa) to offer domain-specific functionality without reinventing foundational tools.

Typical workflows involve searching and downloading solar data from multiple providers through a unified interface, loading that data into map or time-series objects, and performing coordinate transformations to align observations from different instruments or time periods. The package is designed for researchers and data analysts who work with solar imagery, spectroscopy, or other solar observations and need reliable, well-tested abstractions rather than building these tools from scratch.

Use it for:

• Download and load solar imaging data from multiple sources and display or analyze it in a standardized format
• Transform solar observations between different coordinate systems for multi-instrument analysis
• Build time-series analysis pipelines for solar activity monitoring or event detection
• Access and process solar spectroscopy or magnetogram data within a Python workflow
• Develop solar physics research code that relies on consistent data handling and coordinate conventions

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

SunPy provides Python tools for accessing, loading, and analyzing solar physics data, including data search/download interfaces, image and time-series containers, solar coordinate frames, and coordinate transformations.

Yes. SunPy is a stable, actively maintained library (Production/Stable status, release 45 days ago) with low install friction, no known security vulnerabilities, and permissive licensing. It is the standard tool in its domain and appropriate for any solar physics research or analysis work in Python. The requirement for Python 3.12 or later is not a barrier for modern projects.

Install

sunpy on PyPI

pip install sunpy

uv add sunpy

poetry add sunpy

Installing sunpy

Before you install

Low friction installation with seven runtime dependencies. Active maintenance with a release 45 days ago and continuous development; last commit 2026-08-13.

License in practice

BSD-3-Clause permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required.

Quickstart

pip install sunpy

import sunpy.map

map_obj = sunpy.map.Map(data)

Requires Python 3.12 or later.

Verify before relying

• Specific data providers supported by the search and download interface
• Performance characteristics for large time-series or multi-wavelength datasets
• Whether coordinate transformation accuracy is validated against published standards
• Sample data availability and how to access it in typical workflows

Package facts

Evidence: sunpy-8.0.0-py3-none-any.whl

Keywords: solar physics, solar, science, sun, wcs, coordinates

Tags

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