NASA’s Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) satellites have provided the first three-dimensional images of the sun. For the first time, scientists are able to see structures in the sun’s atmosphere in three dimensions.
According to NASA’s site, “STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) is the third mission in NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP). This two-year mission, launched October 2006, will provide a unique and revolutionary view of the Sun-Earth System. The two nearly identical observatories — one ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind — will trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to Earth. They will reveal the 3D structure of coronal mass ejections; violent eruptions of matter from the sun that can disrupt satellites and power grids, and help us understand why they happen. STEREO will become a key addition to the fleet of space weather detection satellites by providing more accurate alerts for the arrival time of Earth-directed solar ejections with its unique side-viewing perspective.”
This news was greeted by skepticism from solar experts and “Teletubbies” fans nationwide. “I don’t doubt these pictures are real,” said Melvin Bromide of Needles, California. “But they’re not of the sun. Any sane person knows the sun is a flat thing with a baby in the middle of it. To say otherwise will keep the baby from giggling and that’s bad, as we all know.”
To see this photo correctly, you need high-tech 3-D glasses.
– Ward
Sorry to be a stick in the mud here guys. But, i have to say; Hoopdy-damn-do. Do we really need 3d pics of the sun? What are we gonna do with that info?
Studying the sun’s atmosphere as the article said.It’s going to help us predict things like solar flares that are nasty for sattelites and humans in space.
3D gives you what’s called depth perception. With three dimensional perceptions you’re able to gauge the speed a ball is headed toward you and actually catch it.
In a similar way being able to see the sun in 3D will allow for better alerts for, say astronauts or sattelite operators so that those astronauts get get into their meager shelter if they have any and the operators can put the sattelites into safe mode so that there’s less damage to the electonics. It’s also of use to the power companies actaully on this planet since serious damage to the grid can occur from solar flares.
The sun cuases global warming as well as AL GORE with his mouth open
It could also give us a better understanding of an ongoing fusion reaction, perhaps leading to the development of a fusion reactor on Earth. Good stuff here.