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Solar Dynamics Observatory

Space-Based Observatories

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 Type
Space-based solar observatory 2
Location
Inclined geosynchronous orbit around Earth, 102 degrees West longitude, 28.5 degree inclination, altitude about 35,789 km 2
Operational
from 2010 2
Measures
The 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 Principle
Carries 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
Ultraviolet 1
Connections

Operated By

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 Source
2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Wikipedia: 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
View the Source
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