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 1 LocationInclined geosynchronous orbit around Earth, 102 degrees West longitude, 28.5 degree inclination, altitude about 35,789 km 1 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. 1 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. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, lead sectionQuote, Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, lead section
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a NASA mission which has been observing the Sun since 2010.
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, orbit sectionQuote, Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, orbit section
Inclined geosynchronous orbit around Earth
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, launch sectionQuote, Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, launch section
Launched on 11 February 2010, the observatory is part of the Living With a Star (LWS) program.
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, mission goals sectionQuote, 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.
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, instruments sectionQuote, Wikipedia: Solar Dynamics Observatory, instruments section
The spacecraft includes three instruments.
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