Solar Dynamics Observatory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a
NASA mission which will observe the
Sun for over five years. Scheduled for a February 10, 2010 launch, the observatory is part of the
Living With a Star (LWS) program. The goal of the LWS program is to develop the scientific understanding necessary to effectively address those aspects of the connected
Sun-
Earth system that directly affect life and society. SDO's goal is to understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously. SDO will determine how the
Sun's magnetic field is generated and structured and how this stored magnetic energy is converted and released into the
heliosphere and
geospace in the form of
solar wind, energetic particles, and variations in the
solar irradiance.
SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously.
read more about the mission...
Solar Dynamics Observatory: Exploring The Sun
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) will provide a new eye on the sun that will deliver solar images with 10 times better resolution than high-definition television. This mission will zoom in on the cause of severe space weather—solar activity such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
Solar Dynamics Observatory Launch & Deployment [HD]
This animation follows the Solar Dynamics Observatory from its launch on February 10, 2010 at pad 41A from Kennedy Space Center through deployment.
SDO Launch
Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V-401
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - Launch Complex 41
Launch Date: Feb. 10, 2010
Image above: An Atlas V rocket with the Solar Dynamics Observtory aboard awaits launch this morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA TV
Spacecraft and Instruments
SDO INSTRUMENTS
SDO contains a suite of instruments that will provide observations leading to a more complete understanding of the solar dynamics that drive variability in the Earth's environment. This set of instruments will:
- Measure the extreme ultraviolet spectral irradiance of the Sun at a rapid cadence
- Measure the Doppler shifts due to oscillation velocities over the entire visible disk
- Make high-resolution measurements of the longitudinal and vector magnetic field over the entire visible disk
- Make images of the chromosphere and inner corona at several temperatures at a rapid cadence
- Make those measurements over a significant portion of a solar cycle to capture the solar variations that may exist in different time periods of a solar cycle
HMI looks at the outside of the Sun to try and determine what is happening on the inside.
AIA will image the outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere, the corona, at all temperatures from 20 thousand to 20 million degrees.
EVE has to keep track of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) rays that the Sun sends towards us.
- Spaceports: Solar Dynamics Observatory Set for Launch
- Solar Dynamics Observatory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- SDO | Solar Dynamics Observatory
- YouTube - Solar Dynamics Observatory: Exploring The Sun
- YouTube - Solar Dynamics Observatory Launch & Deployment [HD]
- NASA - SDO Launch
- NASA - Spacecraft and Instruments
Related:
- Unlocking sun's secrets key to Earth's security - USATODAY.com
- Nasa mission to unravel sun’s threat to Earth - Times Online
- NASA - Home
