TSIS: Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor

In terms of climate change research, scientists need to understand the balance between energy coming in from the Sun and energy radiating out from Earth, as modulated by Earth's surface and atmosphere. That's why NASA is launching TSIS, the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor. Find out more in this short narrated video.

The composition of that light that falls on Earth matters to understanding Earth's energy budget. That's the reason NASA has a new instrument designed to study this question. It's called TSIS --the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor. Find out more in this short narrated video.

Wide shot of TSIS on the ISS

TSIS on board the ISS

TSIS tracking the Sun

Turntable of the TSIS payload

Irradiance Data Animation

Animation - NASA’s Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment, or SORCE, collected this data on total solar irradiance, the total amount of the Sun’s radiant energy, throughout Sept. 2017. While the Sun produced high levels of extreme ultraviolet light, SORCE actually detected a dip in total irradiance during the month’s intense solar activity. A possible explanation for this observation is that over the active regions — where solar flares originate — the darkening effect of sunspots is greater than the brightening effect of the flare’s extreme ultraviolet emissions. As a result, the total solar irradiance suddenly dropped during the flare events. Scientists gather long-term solar irradiance data in order to understand not only our dynamic star, but also its relationship to Earth’s environment and climate. NASA is ready to launch the Total Spectral solar Irradiance Sensor-1, or TSIS-1, this December to continue making total solar irradiance measurements.

GIF - Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) observed by SORCE TIM instrument during the solar flare events of Sept. 2017.

Still Image - Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) observed by SORCE TIM instrument during the solar flare events of Sept. 2017.