The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a NASA mission which will observe the Sun for over five years. Launched on February 11, 2010, the observatory is part of the Living With a Star (LWS) program. The goal of the LWS program is to develop the scientific understanding to address those aspects of the Sun–Earth system that directly affect life and society.
The SDO has a dedicated YouTube Site. Here are two of the truly awesome (a much abused word these days) range of videos which have been posted since the mission started.
The first in multiple wavelengths, shows an M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare with a spectacular coronal mass ejection which occurred on 7 June, 2011. The large cloud of particles mushroomed up and fell back down looking as if it covered an area almost half the solar surface.
The second in extreme UV light, shows the Sun unleashing a large X class (strongest category) flare late on 7 Sept., 2011. The clip presents the flash of the flare and a mass of ejecta that rose above the Sun, some of which fell back to the surface.
Stunning, beautiful, majestic images. View in fullscreen and HD.
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