24 HOUR's

chronicles solar activity from Aug. 12 to Dec. 22, 2022, as captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). From its orbit in space around Earth, SDO has steadily imaged the Sun in 4K x 4K resolution for nearly 13 years. This information has enabled countless new discoveries about the workings of our closest star and how it influences the solar system. With a triad of instruments, SDO captures an image of the Sun every 0.75 seconds. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument alone captures images every 12 seconds at 10 different wavelengths of light. This 133-day time lapse showcases photos taken at a wavelength of 17.1 nanometers, which is an extreme-ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer: the corona. Compiling images taken 108 seconds apart, the movie condenses 133 days, or about four months, of solar observations into 59 minutes. The video shows bright active regions passing across the face of the Sun as it rotates. The Sun rotates approximately once every 27 days. The loops extending above the bright regions are magnetic fields that have trapped hot, glowing plasma. These bright regions are also the source of solar flares, which appear as bright flashes as magnetic fields snap together in a process called magnetic reconnection. While SDO has kept an unblinking eye pointed toward the Sun, there have been a few moments it missed. Some of the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. Other blackouts are caused by instrumentation being down or data errors. SDO transmits 1.4 terabytes of data to the ground every day. The images where the Sun is off-center were observed when SDO was calibrating its instruments. SDO and other NASA missions will continue to watch our Sun in the years to come, providing further insights about our place in space and information to keep our astronauts and assets safe. The music is a continuous mix from Lars Leonhard’s “Geometric Shapes” album, courtesy of the artist. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scott Wiessinger (PAO): Lead Producer Tom Bridgman (SVS): Lead Visualizer Scott Wiessinger (PAO): Editor This video can be freely shared and downloaded at https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14263. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14263. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit https://nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines. Video Description: On the left side of the frame is the full circle of the Sun. It appears in a golden yellow color, but splotchy and with thin yellow wisps extending from the surface. Some areas are very bright and others almost black. The whole Sun rotates steadily, with one full rotation taking 12 minutes in this time lapse. There are usually only a few bright regions visible at a time and they shift and flash like small fires. From these regions there are wispy loops reaching up above the surface that rapidly change shape and size. On the right side of the frame are two white-outlined squares with enlargements of interesting regions of the Sun.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 mission is indeed a significant scientific journey, continuing the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX to advance space exploration and scientific research. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, I can provide you with some general information about the mission and its scientific objectives. Please note that there may have been developments or updates since that time. Mission Overview: NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) using SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission is one of several that contribute to the ongoing scientific research conducted aboard the ISS. Crew Members: The Crew-4 mission consists of a team of astronauts selected by NASA. These astronauts play a crucial role in both the operation of the spacecraft and the scientific experiments conducted on the ISS. Scientific Research: The ISS serves as a unique and valuable platform for conducting scientific research in the microgravity environment of space. Some of the scientific objectives of the Crew-4 mission may include: Biological Research: Studying the effects of microgravity on various biological systems, including human health, plant growth, and microbial behavior. Physical Sciences: Investigating fundamental physical phenomena, such as fluid dynamics, combustion, and material science, which can provide insights into both space-related challenges and terrestrial applications. Earth and Space Observation: Conducting observations and experiments to better understand Earth's climate, geology, and the space environment. This research contributes to our knowledge of our planet and space beyond. Technology Development: Testing and demonstrating new technologies and systems that can improve future space missions and benefit life on Earth. International Collaboration: The ISS is a symbol of international cooperation in space exploration. Crew members on the ISS often work alongside astronauts from other space agencies, such as Russia's Roscosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA). This collaborative effort enhances the scope and impact of the scientific research conducted on the station. Duration: The duration of a Crew Dragon mission to the ISS can vary, but typically, astronauts spend several months on the station, allowing for long-term scientific investigations. Return to Earth: After completing their mission, the Crew-4 astronauts will return to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft, bringing with them valuable scientific data and experiments conducted during their stay on the ISS. To get the most up-to-date information on NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 mission and its specific scientific objectives, I recommend visiting NASA's official website or referring to recent news articles and press releases from NASA and SpaceX.