Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Image: Lunar Transit

On Jan. 30, 2014, beginning at 8:31 a.m EST, the moon moved between NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the sun, giving the observatory a view of a partial solar eclipse from space. 

Such a lunar transit happens two to three times each year. 

This one lasted two and one half hours, which is the longest ever recorded. 

When the next one will occur is as of yet unknown, due to planned adjustments in SDO's orbit.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

A rainbow of lunar transits as seen by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). 

The observatory watches the sun in many different wavelengths of light, shown here as different colour.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO