When depicting an eclipse path, data visualizers have usually chosen to represent the moon's shadow as an oval. By bringing in a variety of NASA data sets, visualizer Ernie Wright has created a new and more accurate representation of the eclipse. For the first time, we are able to see that the moon's shadow is better represented as a polygon. This more complicated shape is based NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's view of the mountains and valleys that form the moon's jagged edge. By combining moon's terrain, heights of land forms on Earth, and the angle of the sun, Wright is able to show the eclipse path with the greatest accuracy to date. ||

This narrated video shows visualizations of the March 20, 2015 solar eclipse from several vantage points in space, as well as an actual photo of a previous eclipse in 2012 taken by LRO from lunar orbit. Transcript. || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_print.jpg (1024x576) [96.1 KB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_searchweb.png (320x180) [60.2 KB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_thm.png (80x40) [5.0 KB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_youtube_hq.mov (1280x720) [35.7 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_1280x720.wmv (1280x720) [50.0 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_prores.mov (1280x720) [1.5 GB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_appletv.m4v (960x540) [46.5 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_appletv.webm (960x540) [14.4 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_appletv_subtitles.m4v (960x540) [46.5 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_nasaportal.mov (640x360) [34.1 MB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_ipod_lg.m4v (640x360) [20.0 MB] || Shadow.en_US.srt [1.9 KB] || G2015-026_ShadowOfTheMoon_ipod_sm.mp4 (320x240) [9.1 MB] ||

Heliophysics is a term to describe the study of the Sun, its atmosphere or the heliosphere, and the planets within it as a system. As a result, it encompasses the study of planetary atmospheres and their magnetic environment, or magnetospheres. These environments are important in the study of space weather.As a society dependent on technology, both in everyday life, and as part of our economic growth, space weather becomes increasingly important. Changes in space weather, either by solar events or geomagnetic events, can disrupt and even damage power grids and satellite communications. Space weather events can also generate x-rays and gamma-rays, as well as particle radiations, that can jeopardize the lives of astronauts living and working in space.This visualization tours the regions of near-Earth orbit; the Earth's magnetosphere, sometimes called geospace; the region between the Earth and the Sun; and finally out beyond Pluto, where Voyager 1 and 2 are exploring the boundary between the Sun and the rest of our Milky Way galaxy. Along the way, we see these regions patrolled by a fleet of satellites that make up NASA's Heliophysics Observatory Telescopes. Many of these spacecraft do not take images in the conventional sense but record fields, particle energies and fluxes in situ. Many of these missions are operated in conjunction with international partners, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA).The Earth and distances are to scale. Larger objects are used to represent the satellites and other planets for clarity.Here are the spacecraft featured in this movie:Near-Earth Fleet:Hinode: Observes the Sun in multiple wavelengths up to x-rays. SVS pageRHESSI : Observes the Sun in x-rays and gamma-rays. SVS pageTRACE: Observes the Sun in visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. SVS pageTIMED: Studies the upper layers (40-110 miles up) of the Earth's atmosphere.FAST: Measures particles and fields in regions where aurora form.CINDI: Measures interactions of neutral and charged particles in the ionosphere. AIM: Images and measures noctilucent clouds. SVS pageGeospace Fleet:Geotail: Conducts measurements of electrons and ions in the Earth's magnetotail. Cluster: This is a group of four satellites which fly in formation to measure how particles and fields in the magnetosphere vary in space and time. SVS pageTHEMIS: This is a fleet of five satellites to study how magnetospheric instabilities produce substorms. SVS pageL1 Fleet: The L1 point is a Lagrange Point, a point between the Earth and the Sun where the gravitational pull is approximately equal. Spacecraft can orbit this location for continuous coverage of the Sun.SOHO: Studies the Sun with cameras and a multitude of other instruments. SVS pageACE: Measures the composition and characteristics of the solar wind. Wind: Measures particle flows and fields in the solar wind. Heliospheric FleetSTEREO-A and B: These two satellites observe the Sun, with imagers and particle detectors, off the Earth-Sun line, providing a 3-D view of solar activity. SVS pageHeliopause FleetVoyager 1 and 2: These spacecraft conducted the original 'Planetary Grand Tour' of the solar system in the 1970s and 1980s. They have now travelled further than any human-built spacecraft and are still returning measurements of the interplanetary medium. SVS pageThis enhanced, narrated visualization was shown at the SIGGRAPH 2009 Computer Animation Festival in New Orleans, LA in August 2009; an eariler version created for AGU was called NASA's Heliophysics Observatories Study the Sun and Geospace. ||

In October 2008, Goddard hosted The Discovery Channel's 'Young Scientist Challenge.' The challenge brought ten middle school student finalists from across the country to vie for the title of 'America's Top Young Scientist' and a chance to win a U.S. Savings Bond. Five teacher finalists contended for recognition as 'America's Top Science Teacher.' NASA scientists and educators helped design the activities, which both tested the communication skills of the students and celebrated 50 years of NASA space science.For complete transcript, click here. || DYSChallenge_1280x72002412_print.jpg (1024x576) [139.7 KB] || DYSChallenge_1280x720_web.png (320x180) [208.4 KB] || DYSChallenge_1280x720_thm.png (80x40) [17.4 KB] || DYSChallenge_1280x720.webmhd.webm (960x540) [45.1 MB] || DYSChallenge_1280x720.mp4 (1280x720) [90.9 MB] || DYSChallenge_ipod_640x480.m4v (640x360) [34.4 MB] || DYSChallenge_640x360.mpg (640x360) [41.7 MB] || DYSChallenge_youtube_640x480.mov (640x480) [40.0 MB] || DYSChallenge_320x240.mp4 (320x240) [13.2 MB] || DYSChallenge_ipod_320x240.m4v (320x180) [15.6 MB] || DYSChallenge_512x288.mpg (512x288) [27.9 MB] ||

Welcome to Goddard's Space Flight Center. This short video will give you a quick look at what Goddard is all about. ||

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2009, Goddard Space Flight Center has seen a lot of changes over its first five decades. Yet at the same time, the core values and mission of the center has changed little. This vintage film from 1976 shows a time-capsule glimpse of GSFC's early foundations and how remarkably similar they are to today. For complete transcript, click here. || GSFC1976_ipod.01777_print.jpg (1024x768) [130.3 KB] || GSFC1976_ipod_web.png (320x240) [305.3 KB] || GSFC1976_ipod_thm.png (80x40) [16.9 KB] || GSFC1976_ipod_searchweb.png (320x180) [106.4 KB] || GSFC1976_HDupres_AppleTV.webmhd.webm (960x540) [125.0 MB] || GSFC1976_HDupres_YouTube.mov (1280x720) [146.3 MB] || GSFC1976_HDupres_AppleTV.m4v (960x540) [306.1 MB] || GSFC1976_ipod.m4v (640x480) [95.9 MB] || GSFC_2009_0709_GSFC1976_2.wmv (320x240) [38.4 MB] || GSFC1976_NASAcast.mp4 (320x240) [35.8 MB] || GSFC1976_portal.wmv (346x260) [117.0 MB] || GSFC1976_svs.mpg (512x384) [79.1 MB] ||

Marco Midon, who is visually impaired, is highlighted for NASA's Black History Month. He is the Lead Systems Engineer who oversees the design and implementation of NASA ground stations in the area of radio frequencies. Working with new, higher data-rate dishes at White Sands in New Mexico, he was instrumental in two successfully launched NASA missions - the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). He is also the Lead Systems Engineer for the new ground station at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. His work continues in updating compatibility equipment testing for the next generation of vehicles and spacecraft. ||

Every summer Goddard Space Flight Center welcomes hundreds of college interns as they get hands-on experience with real NASA missions and cutting-edge research. ||

Goddard Chief Scientist Jim Garvin takes us on a tour of the life of a spacecraft, from the idea to the collection of data in orbit. Each segment looks at a different phase of the spacecraft and its place in Goddard Space Flight Center: Idea, Design, Construction, Testing, Launch, Operations, and Scientific Analysis. These videos were produced in support of the Goddard Virtual Tour web interactive feature. ||

Eats, treats, and astronaut greets. NASA welcomed the public to the Goddard Space Flight Center for their spring open house. "Explore@NASA Goddard" was the theme for the event. The public had unique access to explore, learn, and enjoy the energetic atmosphere of the Space Agency's largest research facility. ||