A Decade of Stunning Solar Observations: A Time-Lapse Journey
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Chapter 1: The Solar Dynamic Observatory
The awe-inspiring display of the Sun's activity has been captured over the last ten years, revealing its mesmerizing beauty and dynamic nature.
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Section 1.1: Launch and Purpose
On February 11, 2010, NASA launched the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) with the mission to closely monitor the Sun and its impacts on the Solar System. Starting June 2, the spacecraft has been diligently photographing our star, taking images every 0.75 seconds. To date, it has gathered more than 425 million high-resolution images, accumulating around 20 million gigabytes of data. Over this decade, the SDO faced a significant technical issue in 2016, leading to an extended downtime due to complications with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly.
Subsection 1.1.1: Time-Lapse Compilation
The creation of the time-lapse video involved selecting one image from each hour, condensing a decade's worth of solar observations into a captivating 61-minute visual experience. The images were captured at an ultraviolet wavelength of 17.1 nm, effectively showcasing the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
Section 1.2: Highlights of the Decade
While the entire video is worth viewing, I want to highlight some remarkable moments for those who may not have the time to watch it all. I highly recommend viewing these segments at a quarter-speed for a more immersive experience:
- 12:24 on June 5–6, 2012: The rare transit of Venus across the Sun, an event that won't occur again until 2117.
- 13:51 on August 31, 2012: A significant solar eruption from the lower left quadrant, the most notable eruption of this solar cycle.
- 36:18 on May 9, 2016: Mercury's transit across the Sun in a distinct zigzag pattern.
- 26:39 on October 8, 2014: Active solar regions forming a shape reminiscent of a Jack-o’-lantern.
- 57:39 on November 11, 2019: Another transit of Mercury, which will not reoccur until 2032.
Chapter 2: A Decade of Solar Change
The video titled "Watch the Sun Age Through the Last Decade" provides an insightful look into the Sun's evolution over the years, illustrating the dramatic changes and their implications for our Solar System.
Until next time!