133 Days of Sun

It sounds like you're describing a fascinating time-lapse video of solar activity captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) between August 12 and December 22, 2022. The SDO is an orbiting satellite that has been observing the Sun for many years and has provided valuable insights into solar behavior and its impact on the solar system.

Here are the key points from your description:

Observation Period: The time-lapse covers a period of 133 days, approximately four months, from August 12 to December 22, 2022.

Observation Method: SDO captures images of the Sun in 4K x 4K resolution, with a frequency of one image every 0.75 seconds. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument specifically captures images every 12 seconds at 10 different wavelengths of light.

Wavelength and Atmospheric Layer: The images showcased in the time-lapse are taken at a wavelength of 17.1 nanometers, which corresponds to extreme-ultraviolet light. This wavelength reveals the Sun's outermost atmospheric layer, known as the corona.

Solar Features: The video shows various solar features, including bright active regions moving across the Sun's surface as it rotates. The Sun completes approximately one rotation every 27 days.

Magnetic Fields and Solar Flares: The loops extending above the bright regions are magnetic fields containing hot, glowing plasma. These regions are sources of solar flares, which are bright flashes resulting from magnetic fields snapping together in a process called magnetic reconnection.

Interruptions and Blackouts: There are moments in the video where the Sun is obscured by the Earth or the Moon passing between SDO and the Sun. Other blackouts result from instrument downtime or data errors.

Data Transmission: SDO transmits a substantial amount of data, about 1.4 terabytes, to the ground daily.

Off-Center Observations: Some images where the Sun is off-center occurred during instrument calibration.

Music and Imagery Usage: The video is accompanied by music from Lars Leonhard's "Geometric Shapes" album. The music and specific imagery might be subject to certain usage permissions.

Continued Observation: NASA's SDO and other missions will continue to monitor the Sun, providing insights into space dynamics and ensuring the safety of astronauts and assets.

This video, which can be freely shared and downloaded, offers a visually captivating way to understand the dynamic behavior of the Sun and its influence on our solar system.