Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) stands sentinel for the cosmic hazards created by solar activity. The instruments on SDO provide immediate knowledge and understanding of solar eruptive events such as flares and coronal mass ejections. In the longer term SDO provides scientific understanding to better predict the trends of solar activity over the next few months to years. SDO comprehensively observes the magnetic field of the Sun. It measures the surface magnetic field and observes the response of the solar atmosphere to changes in the magnetic field. SDO also gathers helioseismic observations that are analyzed to look inside the Sun and deduce the workings of the solar convection zone – the roiling motions inside the Sun that create the magnetic field. SDO, the data it produces, and some of the science results that help with planetary defense will be described.