NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory: Capturing the Sun’s Best in Year 4

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), launched on February 11, 2010, continuously observes the Sun, capturing its dynamic activity. In its fourth year, SDO recorded remarkable solar phenomena, including massive solar flares, prominence eruptions, coronal loops, and a large sunspot group—the biggest in nine years. SDO images the Sun in 10 wavelengths, each highlighting different temperatures and structures, helping scientists study the Sun’s complex electromagnetic system. These observations aid in understanding solar effects on Earth’s technology and provide insights into other stars in the galaxy. The SDO is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.