Spacecraft provides 3-D images of the Sun
Posted: Wed, Apr 25, 2007, 7:02 AM ET (1102 GMT)
A pair of NASA spacecraft launched last year have provided scientists with the first "three-dimensional" images of the Sun, thanks to their unique vantage points. The twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft were launched last October and, after a lunar flyby in January, entered separate orbits, one ahead of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, and the other trailing. NASA released on Monday the first images taken by the two spacecraft, which, when combined, create a 3-D view of the Sun because of their different viewing angles. Scientists hope to use the 3-D images from STEREO to better track matter and energy flows on the Sun and improve space weather forecasts.
A pair of NASA spacecraft launched last year have provided scientists with the first "three-dimensional" images of the Sun, thanks to their unique vantage points. The twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft were launched last October and, after a lunar flyby in January, entered separate orbits, one ahead of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, and the other trailing. NASA released on Monday the first images taken by the two spacecraft, which, when combined, create a 3-D view of the Sun because of their different viewing angles. Scientists hope to use the 3-D images from STEREO to better track matter and energy flows on the Sun and improve space weather forecasts.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 21
Military sites could help launch SA into space
The Times (South Africa) — 9:42 am ET (1342 GMT) New Mexico residents have yet to book spaceflights
Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News — 9:42 am ET (1342 GMT) The dotcom millionaires launching their own private space race
The Guardian — 9:37 am ET (1337 GMT) NASA jobs in limbo
Galveston Daily News — 9:33 am ET (1333 GMT) Satellite sending solar-storm data to CU
Denver Post — 9:32 am ET (1332 GMT) |