Visualizations by
Tom Bridgman
Released on April 1, 2006
Scientists working with the SOHO/MDI instrument have continued to improve on previous results. Since the first release (SOHO/MDI's 'Window' Through the Sun), improvements in helioseismology techniques have enabled them to extract more information from the same data. In this case, sonogram-type imaging of the solar far side (the side of the Sun NOT facing the Earth) has been improved to provide a more complete view of the farside. This is important in space weather forecasting as it enables us to see large sunspots and active regions before they are visible directly from the Earth. Active regions are a source of solar flares which can send high-energy protons towards the Earth. These protons can damage satellite electronics, endangering communications and weather forecasting, and are a health threat to astronauts.
Visualization Credits
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Animator Philip Scherrer (Stanford University): Scientist Joe Gurman (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Short URL to share this page: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3336
GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation:
Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0