A NASA space-based solar observatory, part of the Living With a Star program, launched on 11 February 2010 into an inclined geosynchronous orbit to study the Sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth space. Its three instruments observe the solar atmosphere continuously across many wavelengths and generate roughly 1.5 terabytes of data per day, the largest continuous science data stream NASA operated at the time.
Facts
Observatory TypeSpace-based solar observatory 2 LocationInclined geosynchronous orbit around Earth, 102 degrees West longitude, 28.5 degree inclination, altitude about 35,789 km 2 MeasuresThe solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously, to understand the Sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth space. 2 Operating PrincipleCarries three instruments, the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, observing the Sun continuously in many wavelengths at once. 2 Classification
Observing Band FAQs
What does each of the Solar Dynamics Observatory instruments do?
HMI maps the magnetic field and surface motions, AIA images the solar atmosphere, and EVE measures extreme ultraviolet output.
The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, called HMI, gives continual full-disk coverage of the Sun at higher spatial resolution than its predecessor on SOHO, with new vector magnetogram capabilities. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, called AIA, images the solar atmosphere in multiple wavelengths to link changes at the surface to changes in the interior, and its data include images of the Sun in 10 wavelengths every 10 seconds. The Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment, called EVE, measures the solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance with unprecedented spectral resolution, time cadence and precision, to understand variations that influence Earth's climate and near-Earth space.
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Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Sources
1. Solar Dynamics Observatory (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, lead section
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a NASA mission which has been observing the Sun since 2010.
Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, launch section
Launched on 11 February 2010, the observatory is part of the Living With a Star (LWS) program.
Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, mission goals section
The goal of the SDO is to understand the influence of the Sun on the Earth and near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously.
Article text: band ultraviolet
Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE)
In Group: Solar Space Observatories, Lead sentence
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a NASA mission which has been observing the Sun since 2010.
View the Source2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, orbit section
Inclined geosynchronous orbit around Earth
Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, instruments section
The spacecraft includes three instruments.
- Operated By: NASA, Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, lead section
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