Momentum Management Maneuver #41 today

SDO will execute momentum management (MM) maneuver #41 today from 1820-1840 UTC (2:20-2:40 pm ET). During an MM maneuver SDO science data may be missing or blurred. These maneuvers are needed to keep SDO accurately pointed at the Sun and taking data.

Congratulations to the EVE Team!

NASA 36.353 sounding rocket flight to calibrate SDO EVE and several other satellite instruments was a great success. Hre's the proof, exposures from both the MEGS-A and MEGS-B CCDs in the calibration EVE. The top image is from the MEGS-A CCD with MEGS-A1 spectrum on top and MEGS-A2 spectrum and MEGS-SAM X-ray image on the bottom. The bottom CCD image is the MEGS-B spectrum that goes diagonally across the CCD. The bright (yellow and red) vertical stripes are the spectral lines of the Sun that EVE studies. Just seeing these spectral lines means our Sun has a magnetic field. Without the magnetic field this part of the spectrum would be empty.

I can't wait to see the movie.

Congratulations to the EVE for a successful flight!

EVE Calibration Rocket Flies over WSMR Today

Today the EVE Calibration Rocket will fly above White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) near Las Cruces, NM. The launch window opens at 11:25 am MT (1:25 pm ET) and closes at 12:05 pm MT (2:05 pm ET). The EVE team is watching the Sun. The goal is to measure the quiet Sun and any significant flare will delay the launch until the effects of the flare fade. After parachuting to the ground, Rocket EVE will be re-calibrated at NIST's SURF in Maryland.

These calibration rockets are needed to track the changes in the EVE and AIA instruments that have been in orbit for over 11 years. Instruments that measure the extreme ultraviolet are extremely sensitive to contamination. Even small amounts of hydrocarbons (such as Teflon) landing on the CCDs inside the instruments can reduce the amount of light reaching the pixels. Comparing the data from the instruments in space with the data from the “clean” calibration instrument gives the correction factor we need.

Check out the LASP news release for more information.

Here's to a great launch and successful recovery!