A rainbow of lunar transits as seen by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
The observatory watches the sun in many different wavelengths of
light, which are each colorized in a different color. Image Credit: NASA/SDO
On Jan 30, 2014, beginning at 8:31 a.m EST, the moon moved between
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, and the sun, giving the
observatory a view of a partial solar eclipse from space. Such a lunar
transit happens two to three times each year. This one lasted two and
one half hours, which is the longest ever recorded. When the next one
will occur is as of yet unknown due to planned adjustments in SDO's
orbit.
Note in the picture how crisp the horizon is on the moon, a reflection of the fact that the moon has no atmosphere around it to distort the light from the sun.
Note in the picture how crisp the horizon is on the moon, a reflection of the fact that the moon has no atmosphere around it to distort the light from the sun.
NASA's
Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of the moon crossing in
front of its view of the sun on Jan. 30, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. EST. Image Credit: NASA/SDO
A
movie of the moon crossing in front of the sun as seen by NASA’s Solar
Dynamics Observatory on Jan 30, 2014. The sun appears to move because
SDO’s fine guidance systems rely on seeing the whole sun to keep the
images centered from exposure to exposure. Image Credit: NASA/SDO/Goddard Space Flight Center
Related Links:
- Download high resolution image and video files at: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a011400/a011463/
