First Images: The Solar Dynamics Observatory, SDO

The first images of NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) released on April 21, 2010. Launched Feb. 11, 2010, SDO is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed to study the sun and its dynamic behavior. The spacecraft can produce images with clarity ten times better than high definition television and provide more comprehensive science data faster than any solar observing spacecraft in history. SDO will help scientists study solar activity to improve forecasts of how the suns weather affects Earth. www.nasa.gov/sd
Credit NASA