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Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)

3 Years of the Sun in 3 Minutes

April 22, 2013

Want to stay on top of all the space news? Follow @universetoday on Twitter Since the Solar Dynamics Observatory opened its multi-spectral eyes in space about three years ago, we’ve posted numerous videos and images from the mission, showing incredible views of our dynamic Sun. Scott Wiessinger from Goddard Space Flight Center’s Space Visualization Studio [...]

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Weekend Aurora Alert: The Sun Lets Loose an Earth-Directed CME

April 11, 2013

The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this view as the Sun let loose with its biggest solar flare of the year so far. It’s not a real big one — a mid-level flare classified as an M6.5 – but an associated coronal mass ejection is heading towards Earth and could spur some nice auroae by this [...]

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Solar Spacecraft Gets a Little Loopy

April 4, 2013

Twice a year, the Solar Dynamics Observatory performs a 360-degree roll about the axis on which it points toward the Sun. This produces some unique views, but the rolls are necessary to help calibrate the instruments, particularly the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument, which is making precise measurements of the solar limb to study [...]

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Astrophoto: Giant Sunspot Group on the Sun

February 21, 2013

On February 19 and 20, 2013, scientists watched a giant sunspot form in under 48 hours. It has grown to over six Earth diameters. This image by astrophotographer Paul Andrew shows a detailed, close-up view of this sunspot group, named AR 1678, imaged with a hydrogen alpha filter. NASA said the spot quickly evolved into [...]

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Stunning Compilation of the Solar Dynamic Observatory’s Observations

February 11, 2013

Three years ago today, (February 11, 2010) I was standing at Kennedy Space Center watching the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The launch was spectacular, and included a unique effect as the Atlas rocket flew close to a sundog just as the spacecraft reached Max-Q, creating a ripple effect around the spacecraft. And so, [...]

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