05.08.07
The First Images of the Sun in 3D
As reported here back in October 2006, NASA launched two imaging satellites with the intention of producing 3D images of the Sun. Six months later, on April 23 this year, NASA unveiled the first images from the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO).
The 3D images like the one above require Red-and-Cyan (light blue) glasses, with red on left (inexplicably contrary to tradition). The NASA site provides info on sources for 3D glasses, as well as instructions on how to make your own.
STEREO is sponsored by NASA Headquarters’ Science Mission Directorate, Washington, DC. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Solar Terrestrial Probes Program Office, in Greenbelt, MD, manages the mission, instruments and science center. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in Laurel, MD, designed and built the spacecraft and will operate the twin observatories for NASA during the mission.
A number of museums in the US and abroad will be displaying high-resolution STEREO images and movies, though apparently none in Seattle (yet?). Dammit.
Here are links to various NASA web sites and online galleries devoted to the STEREO Mission.
- Main STEREO web site
- STEREO Gallery - 2D and 3D stills and videos
- Latest images
- What’s New
- About the spacecraft and their instruments
- NASA.gov STEREO mini-site
- Multimedia gallery - including 3D videos
- News and Press resources - including official press kits
- John Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Laboratory STEREO mission web site
- Image Gallery - mostly of the craft
- Video Gallery - includes launch footage and a 6 min. documentary about the mission
- PDFs:
- STEREO Science Center
