On Aug. 12, 2023, NASA's STEREO-A spacecraft will pass between the Sun and Earth, marking the first Earth flyby of the nearly 17-year-old mission. The visit home brings a special chance for the spacecraft to collaborate with NASA missions near Earth and reveal new insights into our closest star.
The twin STEREO spacecraft launched on Oct. 25, 2006, from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. STEREO-A advanced its lead on Earth as STEREO-B lagged behind, both charting Earth-like orbits around the Sun.
The mission accomplished many other scientific feats over the years, and researchers studied both spacecraft views until 2014, when mission control lost contact with STEREO-B after a planned reset. However, STEREO-A continues its journey, capturing solar views unavailable from Earth. STEREO scientists are using the opportunity to make much-needed measurements. They are identifying active regions, the magnetically complex regions underlying sunspots, hoping to uncover 3D information about their structure usually lost in 2D images. They'll also test a new theory that coronal loops -- giant arches often seen in close-up images of the Sun -- aren't what they appear to be.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Infectious Diseases News -- ScienceDailyRead the latest medical research on the prevention, management, and treatment of infectious diseases. Read articles on HINI, influenza, C. difficile, HIV and AIDS, hepatitis, herpes, STDs and more.
Read more »
Quantum Computers News -- ScienceDailyQuantum Computer Research. Read the latest news in developing quantum computers.
Read more »
Insects (including Butterflies) News -- ScienceDailyCurrent event articles on insects and butterflies. Read about insect bites, butterfly migration, caterpillar growth, which insects are beneficial and how to deal with pests.
Read more »
Materials Science News -- ScienceDailyMaterials Science News and Research. Read all the latest in materials engineering, chemical engineering, and more.
Read more »
Dolphins and Whales News -- ScienceDailyWhales and dolphins. Whale songs, beaching, endangered status -- current research news on all cetaceans.
Read more »
Patient Education and Counseling News -- ScienceDailyRead about current research on quality of life issues for patients, patient education and counseling.
Read more »