快猫短视频

Space

NASA poised to launch solar watchdog

The Solar Dynamics Observatory will watch for solar "tsunamis" and other events that may hit Earth
By

The Solar Dynamics Observatory will study the sun's extreme ultraviolet radiation (shown here in a false-colour image from the SOHO satellite). This type of radiation is highly variable, jumping in intensity by a factor of thousands in seconds
The Solar Dynamics Observatory will study the sun鈥檚 extreme ultraviolet radiation (shown here in a false-colour image from the SOHO satellite). This type of radiation is highly variable, jumping in intensity by a factor of thousands in seconds
(Image: ESA/NASA/SOHO)
Solar storms can wreak havoc on space satellite
Solar storms can wreak havoc on space satellite
(Image: NSO/AURA/NSF/USAF Research Laboratory)

Click here to see a gallery of what NASA鈥檚 next solar observatory could see.

The sun will soon come under its closest scrutiny yet with NASA鈥檚 $808 million , which launched at 1023 EST (1523 GMT) on Thursday from Florida鈥檚 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The spacecraft boasts three separate instruments that will work in concert to study how solar activity gets its start. The results could help reveal more about the sun鈥檚 wide variability, which can knock out space satellites and power grids and affect Earth鈥檚 climate.

Click here to see a gallery of what NASA鈥檚 next solar observatory could see.

Topics: Solar system

More from 快猫短视频

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Space

Sugar molecules found in interstellar space for the first time

News

Space

UN space database aimed at easing global tensions is mysteriously down

News

Space

2026 eclipse: 5 citizen science projects you can contribute to

News

Space

Audacious mission to rescue NASA’s falling telescope has launched

News

Popular articles

Trending 快猫短视频 articles

Four children with terminal brain cancer saved by new cell therapy

Game that reduces dementia risk may clear amyloid from men’s brains

Maya mathematician’s name decoded alongside astronomical formula

Alzheimer鈥檚, stroke, depression: The preventative power of sauna

Shifts in the jet stream are behind Europe’s long heatwaves

How humans evolved to be twice as big as our ancestors

The US-China AI arms race has taken an unexpected turn

Salt batteries are about to shake up EVs and grid storage

Resuscitated human retinas respond to light 10 hours after death

The 4 best science-fiction shows of 2026 so far