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Solar Dynamics Observatory

Overview

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory provides continuous, high-resolution imaging of the Sun in ultraviolet wavelengths and maps solar magnetic fields. It enables detailed study of the solar atmosphere and improves understanding of solar activity and space weather.

RAL Space involvement

In collaboration with Lockheed Martin, the Imaging Systems Division built camera electronics boxes (CEBs) for two of SDO's three remote sensing instruments: the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), led from the Lockheed Martin Solar Astrophysics Laboratory in Palo Alto, California, and the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), led from Stanford University. The overall programme was managed by Lockheed Martin with CCD sensors from e2v technologies Ltd., Chelmsford, UK, and the CCD camera electronics from the UK's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL).
Launch Date
February 2010
Focus
Solar and space physics
Partners
NASA and Lockheed Martin Solar

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