That's Hot: The Sun
It's Earth Day, so why not celebrate something that's essential to its existence? NASA's recently launched Solar Dynamics Observatory has begun sending back the most detailed images of our star ever seen.
NASA writes: "Launched on Feb. 11, 2010, SDO is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed to study the sun. During its five-year mission, it will examine the sun's magnetic field and also provide a better understanding of the role the sun plays in Earth's atmospheric chemistry and climate. Since launch, engineers have been conducting testing and verification of the spacecraft’s components. Now fully operational, SDO will provide images with clarity 10 times better than high-definition television and will return more comprehensive science data faster than any other solar observing spacecraft."
Check out a way cool video of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, AFTER THE JUMP...
"coronal mass ejections"... I love space porn, thanks Andy
Posted by: RONTEX | Apr 22, 2010 1:42:41 PM
So, it begs the question: why haven't we found a way to tap into the sun's power? Awesome videos!
Posted by: jamal49 | Apr 22, 2010 1:43:20 PM
@Jamal49
Uhhh, solar power?? We've been tapping that for a long time with photovoltaic cells.
Posted by: unruly | Apr 22, 2010 2:19:59 PM
@Jamal49: We have at least 3 ways of tapping into it.
Solar hot water: Sun heats either a barrel, tubes, or a plate of water (depending on what climate you're in). Water can be used for heating and usual hot water uses.
Solar air: Sun heats up some air, which is then used to heat up a building. Sometimes used to heat water when the building is hot enough.
Solar electric: Sun beams dislodge electrons on special silicone plates, which causes an electric current. Least efficient of the technologies, so if you need anything heated, you use the previous two.
They all work fine, they're just not as amazing as using concentrated refined solar materials (eg, coal, gas, oil, wood).
Posted by: Belcat | Apr 22, 2010 3:00:17 PM
the sun is madd hott, y'all...
Posted by: Jerry | Apr 22, 2010 8:53:21 PM