The Solar Dynamics Observatory Outer Space Sun Photos

by Dan Wagner

Since its launch on February 11, 2010, the Solar Dynamics Observatory has created a treasure trove of out-of-this-world imagery, certain to make any photographer jealous. SDO’s mission is to understand the causes of the Sun’s solar variability, and how it influences life on Earth—with the hope that this knowledge will ultimately help scientists predict solar events.

The SDO’s photographic observations of the sun, data collection, and analysis have helped increase what we know about the creation and release of magnetic energy into the heliosphere and geospace in the form of solar wind, energetic particles, and variations in solar irradiance. For photographers, the humbling beauty of the photos alone justifies the undertaking.

SDO Spacecraft Details:

• The total mass of SDO at launch was 3000 kg/6620 lb; instruments 300 kg /660 lb, spacecraft 1300 kg/2870 lb, and fuel 1400 kg/3090 lb.

• Its overall length along the sun-pointing axis is 4.5 m, and each side is 2.22 m.

• The span of the extended solar panels is 6.25 m.

• Total available power is 1500 W from 6.6 m2 of solar arrays operating at an efficiency of 16%.

• The high-gain antennas rotate once each orbit to follow the Earth.

The data collection includes the measurement of the interior of the Sun, the Sun’s magnetic field, the hot plasma of the solar corona, and the irradiance that creates the ionospheres of the planets. You can learn more about the people who helped launched the SDO mission on their website.