Sun  ID: 11418

Solar Continuum

Story by Karen Fox Released on January 2, 2014
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Scientists learn about the sun by watching it in different wavelengths of light.
Many of the sun's features are invisible to the naked eye. To paint a full picture of our constantly changing star, scientists use telescopes launched into space. Each telescope is outfitted with special filters that can see the sun in different wavelengths of light. To track how material and heat of different temperature moves through the sun's atmosphere, scientists only need to select the specific wavelength with which a feature can best be seen. Watch the video for a tour of the wide range of wavelengths that NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft uses to observe the sun.
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Each wavelength is represented by a single color. Notice how the sun's look changes when viewed in multiple wavelengths.
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The sun and its atmosphere are shown here in ten different wavelengths.
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Each wavelength provides scientists with a different view of what is happening on the sun.
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This chart shows the wavelengths that NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory uses to view various features of the sun.
 

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For More Information

NASA.gov

Story Credits

Visualizer/Animator:
Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)

Video Editor:
Genna Duberstein (USRA)

Producer:
Genna Duberstein (USRA)

Lead Scientists:
William D. Pesnell (NASA/GSFC)
C. Alex Young (NASA/GSFC)
Barbara Thompson (NASA/GSFC)

Lead Writer:
Karen Fox (ADNET Systems, Inc.)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11418

Keywords:
SVS >> App
NASA Science >> Sun