NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captures partial Lunar Transit

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

On July 26, 2014, from 10:57 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. EDT, the moon crossed between NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the sun, a phenomenon called a lunar transit.

A lunar transit happens approximately twice a year, causing a partial solar eclipse that can only be seen from SDO's point of view.

Images of the eclipse show a crisp lunar horizon, because the moon has no atmosphere that would distort light.

This image shows the blended result of two SDO wavelengths, one in 304 wavelength and another in 171 wavelength.