Space Mission captures the first 3D image of Sun - A Nasa-led mission to map the Sun's surface has produced the world's first ever three dimensional image of the star.
Two satellites orbiting the Sun perfectly aligned on opposite sides for the first time taking images that when combined create the most complete picture ever of its surface.
Scientists, who include those at Britain's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, believe the photo is as significant as those taken of the first men on the Moon and the first ever images of the Earth from outer space.
Scientists believe the Nasa photo is as significant as those taken of the first men on the Moon
It could also mark a significant step forward in "Space weather forecasting" as the satellites can monitor solar winds blasted from the Sun and heading towards Earth.
The Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission, led by Nasa, launched its two satellites in 2006 and they have been orbiting the Sun ever since.
The two satellites are travelling at different speeds and so every few years they achieve 180 degrees of separation on exactly opposite sides of the Sun.
The cameras on board, the electronics of which are designed by British scientists, have already shown solar winds travelling from the Sun to wash over the Earth and travelling comets.
Dr Chris Davis, project scientist for the British research, said, “The STEREO mission has already shown us some wonderful sights, solar eruptions arriving at the Earth to comets struggling against the solar wind.
"I’m very excited about this new stage of the mission and am looking forward to many years of unique observations.”
Dr Davis is also a leading scientist in Solar Stormwatch, a project in which members of the public use images from STEREO to spot explosions on the Sun, track them across space to Earth and provide an early warning to astronauts.
The picture was taken yesterday but it could be a week before it is fully tidied up and processed. ( telegraph.co.uk )
Two satellites orbiting the Sun perfectly aligned on opposite sides for the first time taking images that when combined create the most complete picture ever of its surface.
Scientists, who include those at Britain's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, believe the photo is as significant as those taken of the first men on the Moon and the first ever images of the Earth from outer space.
Scientists believe the Nasa photo is as significant as those taken of the first men on the Moon
It could also mark a significant step forward in "Space weather forecasting" as the satellites can monitor solar winds blasted from the Sun and heading towards Earth.
The Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission, led by Nasa, launched its two satellites in 2006 and they have been orbiting the Sun ever since.
The two satellites are travelling at different speeds and so every few years they achieve 180 degrees of separation on exactly opposite sides of the Sun.
The cameras on board, the electronics of which are designed by British scientists, have already shown solar winds travelling from the Sun to wash over the Earth and travelling comets.
Dr Chris Davis, project scientist for the British research, said, “The STEREO mission has already shown us some wonderful sights, solar eruptions arriving at the Earth to comets struggling against the solar wind.
"I’m very excited about this new stage of the mission and am looking forward to many years of unique observations.”
Dr Davis is also a leading scientist in Solar Stormwatch, a project in which members of the public use images from STEREO to spot explosions on the Sun, track them across space to Earth and provide an early warning to astronauts.
The picture was taken yesterday but it could be a week before it is fully tidied up and processed. ( telegraph.co.uk )
No comments:
Post a Comment