"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
17 Aug 2023
In a historic moment for space exploration, NASA's STEREO-A spacecraft has successfully made its first visit back to Earth after a remarkable 17-year journey. Launched on October 25th, 2006, the spacecraft, along with its twin STEREO-B, provided humanity with its first stereoscopic, or multiple-perspective, view of the Sun.
The STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) mission aimed to overcome the limitations of observing the Sun from only one side at a time. By charting Earth-like orbits around the Sun, STEREO-A and STEREO-B revolutionized our understanding of our closest star by providing a three-dimensional view of the Sun's activities.
On Saturday, August 12th, STEREO-A passed between the Sun and Earth, marking its long-anticipated return home. This milestone allows scientists to gather important data on solar phenomena, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can impact our technology and power grids.
During its flyby, STEREO-A will provide valuable multipoint measurements from inside a CME, enabling researchers to refine their understanding of how the magnetic field of these solar eruptions evolves during the journey from the Sun to Earth.
The spacecraft's return comes at an opportune time, as the Sun enters a period of increased activity leading up to the predicted solar maximum in 2025. Scientists are eager to study this active phase and gain further insights into the Sun's behavior.
