Seeing the Sun in a New Light : First SDO Photographs

Seeing the Sun in a New Light : First SDO Photographs

April 21, 2010 will be remembered as the day we saw the sun in a new light.

NASA showcased the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) 'first light' imagery of the sun, photographs that are 10 times the clarity of a household high definition television.

After decades of solar physics research, the advanced instrumentation aboard the SDO will answer many mysteries about our nearest star and will no doubt uncover new questions. Already, solar physicists are examining whether long-standing solar theories are holding true, and the SDO's sheer power will help scientists protect the Earth against potentially paralyzing space weather.