US space agency NASA will be launching Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to probe Sun and solar activity more deeply. The probe SDO is expected to be orbiting some 22,300 miles from earth for five years making observations of the sun and find reasons of different solar activity such as sunspots, solar winds and solar flares. This is first of its kind mission that will also study impact of solar activity on earth and causes which will also help to provide forecasts of ‘space weather’.

It is known that solar activities have an effect on earth and solar disturbances trigger magnetic fields, charged particles or x-rays causing solar storms that disturb satellite communications, power supplies and aircraft signals. SDO will study and map solar magnetic fields, UV rays, measure the fluctuations and take pictures of sun’s surface and atmosphere. But it is not clear how SDO will study solar cycles which last 11 years and which really affect earth’s climate in its five years stay.

Scientists claim that it is not purely a science mission but is more of a space weather mission which has direct benefit for the people. But then most NASA’s missions and scientific endeavors have had a great impact on people worldwide.

Via Timesonline