Solar Dynamics Observatory
ActiveLaunched in 2010·Inclined geosynchronous orbit
A solar observatory imaging the Sun continuously in ten wavelengths, producing an image every 0.75 seconds to track magnetic activity.
Main objectives
- Continuously observe the Sun’s magnetic activity.
- Understand solar variability and its impact on Earth.
- Feed space-weather forecasting.
Did you know?
SDO downlinks 1.5 terabytes of data per day — enough to fill a hard drive with 500 movies daily.
Timeline
Feb 11, 2010
Launch
Atlas V lift-off from Cape Canaveral.
Mar 12, 2012
Flare filmed
Capture of a major solar flare and its shock wave.
Feb 11, 2020
10 years observing
A decade of continuous monitoring of solar activity.
Solar Dynamics Observatory
Instruments
[03]Specifications
Mass
Orbit
Cadence
Discoveries
[01]Mission milestones
[01]- Milestone10 years observingFeb 11, 2020