a. Go to \(Q U E S T\) s "Journey into the Sun" Web page (http:// science.kqed.org/quest/video/journey-into-the-sun) to watch a short video on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), launched in 2010 . Why is studying the magnetic field of the Sun so important? What is new and different about this observatory? What is the "Music of the Sun"? b. Go to the SDO website (http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov). Under "Data," select "The Sun Now" and view the Sun at many wavelengths. What activity do you observe in the images at the location of any sunspots seen in the "HMI Intensitygram" images? (You can download a free SDO app by Astra to get real-time images on your mobile device.) Look at a recent news story from the SDO website. What was observed, and why is it newsworthy? c. Go to the \(S T E R E O\) mission's website (http://stereo.gsfc .nasa.gov). What is \(S T E R E O ?\) Where are the spacecraft located? How does this configuration enable observations of the entire Sun at once? (You can download the app “3-D Sun" to get the latest images on your mobile device.

Step by step solution

01

Watch the Video

Visit the URL: [Journey into the Sun](http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/journey-into-the-sun) to watch the video on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).

02

Answer Questions about the Video

Describe why studying the magnetic field of the Sun is important, what is new and different about the SDO, and explain the 'Music of the Sun'.

03

Visit the SDO Website

Navigate to the SDO website at [sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov](http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov) and click on 'The Sun Now' under the 'Data' section.

04

Observe Sunspots

View the Sun at various wavelengths and note any activity around sunspots seen in the 'HMI Intensitygram' images.

05

Review Recent News

Find a recent news story on the SDO website, summarize what was observed and explain why it is significant.

06

Visit the STEREO Website

Go to the STEREO mission's website at [stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov](http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

07

Answer Questions about STEREO

Explain what STEREO is, the locations of the spacecraft, and how their configuration allows observing the entire Sun at once.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sun's Magnetic Field

The Sun's magnetic field is pivotal in understanding space weather. It plays a crucial role in the creation of sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These phenomena can affect Earth's magnetosphere, leading to geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellite communications, power grids, and even aviation routes.
Studying the Sun's magnetic field helps scientists better predict these events and potentially mitigate their impacts. The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), launched in 2010, has provided unprecedented details of these magnetic activities, offering a unique look at high-definition images and data across various wavelengths.

Helioseismology

Helioseismology is akin to studying the 'music of the Sun.' It's an advanced technique that uses the Sun's oscillations to probe its internal structure. These oscillations, or sound waves, travel through the Sun's interior and provide insights that aren't visible from the surface.
By analyzing these waves, scientists can determine the Sun's composition, rotation, and even differential rotation rates across its layers. This information is vital for understanding solar dynamics and forecasting solar cycles. The SDO has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding through its helioseismic and magnetic imager (HMI), offering a detailed map of the Sun’s magnetic field and its inner workings.

STEREO Mission

The STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) mission consists of two nearly identical spacecraft that were launched in 2006. They are positioned in similar orbits around the Sun as Earth but in different locations - one ahead of Earth and one behind. This unique setup provides a stereoscopic view of the Sun.
This configuration allows scientists to observe the entire Sun simultaneously, offering a complete 3D perspective. It helps in capturing and predicting solar phenomena such as CMEs with great accuracy. The mission has contributed significantly to understanding the solar wind and its interactions with Earth's magnetosphere, enhancing space weather forecasting capabilities.

Solar Observation Techniques

Observing the Sun requires sophisticated techniques and instruments due to its high energy emissions and massive size. Various observatories like the SDO and STEREO use multi-wavelength imaging to capture different aspects of solar activity.

Key techniques include:

• Imaging at different wavelengths: Reveals details about the Sun’s surface and atmosphere.
• Magnetograms: Visualize the magnetic field interactions.
• Helioseismology: Probes the internal structure of the Sun.

These techniques together provide a holistic view of the Sun, aiding in comprehending its complex behaviors and their potential impacts on the solar system, particularly Earth. Real-time data apps bring this information to our fingertips, making solar observation accessible and immediate.