NASA shows 1st images from solar observatory

[April 22, 2010]  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- NASA has unveiled the first images from a new satellite designed to predict disruptive solar storms, and scientists say they're already learning new things.

Researchers showed off brightly colored images and short movie clips of the sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory in a webcast Wednesday.

The satellite was launched Feb. 11. Dean Pesnell, the chief scientist, says it already has disproved at least one theory, but he didn't give any details.

Richard Fisher, director of NASA's heliophysics division, says the satellite is operating flawlessly.

It carries three instrument packages, one built by the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and two built by Lockheed Martin in Palo Alto, Calif.

[Associated Press]

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