Two new NASA and Johns Hopkins University-Applied Physics Lab space probes are in final preparation for their mission to observe solar storms. The aim, aside from basic science, is to provide better warning of space weather that might affect Earth. Collectively they are the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. The Sun’s Michael Stroh provides readers with a curtain raiser, including some history of what past solar outbursts have done. He describes the improved, 3-D imagery with which space weathercasters at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be able to work, if the platforms reach orbit as planned. He gets in some solar physics too. Launch could be as soon as next week.
Grist for the Mill: STEREO web site here.
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