The space shuttle photographed the moon passing before the sun on Wednesday (June 29).
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory held a solar eclipse in its unique position in space, the only place where these eclipses were visible.
“At the peak of the solar eclipse, the moon closed 67% of the sun, and the sun’s fire once again lighted up the moon’s mountains,” writes SpaceWeather.com Wednesday morning EDT. (NASA has not yet commented on the matter.)
SDOs often view the sun as a source of space or radiation in the atmosphere. Learning features include solar magnetic fields, solar dots, and other factors that influence activity during a typical 11-year solar cycle.
“SDO studies how solar activity is created and conducts atmospheric weather. The dimensions of the solar system, atmosphere, magnetic field, and radiation all help us understand the star we live in,” writes NASA.
The SDO was launched in February 2010 and is part of a solar network from NASA and its partner agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The sun has been active recently and unusually at the beginning of its cycle, which should reach its climax by about 2025.
Scientists are interested in tracing the origin of the matter of solar flares and the release of coronal mass ejection of charged particles, which could create colorful aurora in Earth’s atmosphere when CMEs are directed at our planet. CMEs are generally harmless. Still, powerful explosions can disrupt satellites, power lines, and other infrastructure, so scientists are eager for better predictions.
It is noteworthy that NASA has launched a very close campaign called the Parker Solar Probe to investigate a corona or solar eclipse. Some satellites are looking into the distance to find context.
