An Out of this World Birthday!

{image credits}

Today at Janet’s Planet Space Log, we’re wishing NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) a Happy 1^st Birthday…won’t you celebrate with us by enjoying this virtual cupcake? Exactly one year ago today, the SDO was launched into space from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas rocket. During its first year, the observatory has sent back millions of pictures of the sun and information to help scientists understand it better.

The SDO has three instruments on board and one of these is called the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. The AIA takes a picture of the sun every 12 seconds in 10 different wavelengths. That’s 5 pictures every minute! Even more than are taken of the most famous movie stars. You can actually go online and see these sun images, but just make sure to get your parents’ permission.

Scientists are happy that people have taken such an interest in the pictures. The sun has many different effects on our planet and it is good to better understand how it works. One event that takes place on the sun that scientists are learning more about is called a solar flare. Solar flares are huge explosions on the sun’s surface that emit X-rays. Scientists at NASA can use the Solar Dynamics Observatory to learn more about these complicated space happenings.

So Happy Birthday SDO! You might be only one year old, but you sure have accomplished many things in a short time! Keep it up…we’ll be watching!

Visit here for more images of the sun taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory!

The Sun in 3-D!

An artist's concept of STEREO surrounding the sun. Credit: NASA

For many years scientists have warned us to never look directly at the sun because it gives off waves that can damage our eyesight. Now scientists are presenting an image of the sun that is not only fine to view, but also the first of its kind. On February 6th, NASA’s twin STEREO probes recorded images of the entire sun by settling into position on either side. Up until now, there was a small gap on the far side of the sun that we weren’t able to see.

Better than a Hollywood movie, we can now watch solar activity in 3-D! The STEREO probes work by photographing one half of the star and sending the pictures to Earth. Then scientists put the images together in the shape of a sphere. One researcher even said that technology such as this will allow us to “fly around the sun to see what’s happening over the horizon – without ever leaving our desks.” This sounds pretty exciting. This new discovery will help lots of different people, including airlines, power companies and satellite operators.

Visit NASA's STEREO Page for more information.