NASA satellite observed two eclipses a few hours apart

A work twice interrupted. Moreover, Launched in February 2010. Therefore, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has the heavy task of studying the activity of the Sun to help researchers predict how it could affect the land. For example, On July 25, the spacecraft orbit around our planet was twice unable to observe the sun in three hours. Similarly, In question, the moon, at first, then the earth, in turn passed between the solar star and the observation satellite. Furthermore, This double eclipse is particularly rare, explains Live Science By quoting the sdo blog.

A special orbit – Nasa satellite observed two eclipses

Everything is done so that the SDO can constantly see the sun. Moreover, study the winds it rejects, eruptions and changes in its magnetic field. The satellite is indeed in geosynchronous orbit around the earth, which means that it revolves around the planet in 24 hours. Its nasa satellite observed two eclipses orbit is tilted in relation to the axis of rotation of the earth. which most of the time prevents our planet from embarrassing its observations, which are however sometimes partially interrupted by the passage of the Moon.

On July 25, the observatory, however, played bad luck, offering us a series of spectacular images. Around 2:45 am UTC first took place the fourth partial lunar eclipse observed by SDO since April. On this occasion, our satellite covered up to 62 % of the solar disk for a period of 50 minutes.

Two different phenomena

Then. three hours later, around 6:30 am UTC, it was the earth that obstructed the view for an hour and a half, this time completely. Because despite the specificities of its orbit. it happens that our planet is placed between the observatory and the sun for a short period. These moments, which are called “seasons of eclipses” occur twice a nasa satellite observed two eclipses year, near the equinox. The current one started on July 10 and will last until August 7.

On the images captured by the machine. we can see that the two eclipses have different aspects. The moon comes to cover the sun with a net circle while the earth displays a blurred outline due to its atmosphere. which absorbs part of the solar light. This double eclipse phenomenon has already been recorded by the SDO in 2015 and 2016.