Done in the Sun

Coronal mass ejection courtesy of NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory The sun can seem like a friendly celestial body. It is the source of summer, crops, and basically all life on Earth. But just as the sun decided when life on Earth could begin, it will also decide when life on Earth will definitely end. Dr. Michelle Thaller speaks with Dr. C. Alex Young, Associate Director for Science in the Heliophysics Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. We’ll hear about the impressive fleet of spacecraft NASA uses to monitor the Sun, including the upcoming Solar Probe Plus, an exciting new mission to delve closer to our star than ever before. Episode Extras C. Alex Young’s office doormat at NASA Goddard! This 2015 video celebrates five years of solar observations from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory: Follow along with the development of Solar Probe Plus, slated for launch in 2018. Find out about the fleet of Sun-observing spacecraft NASA uses to monitor our home star.