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Mission News

Killer Electrons Surf Celestial Tsunamis

Artist concept of Van Allen Radiation Belts around Earth

Image above: Artist's concept of the Van Allen Radiation Belts around Earth. Credit: NASA

Electrons are the best friends we've ever had from the subatomic world. We harness their flow as electricity to power all of modern life -- everything from cell phones and laptops to light bulbs. In space, however, electrons can turn against us. Boosted to almost the speed of light, "killer electrons" can knock out computers, pierce spacesuits, and damage the tissues of astronauts. New research using NASA's STEREO spacecraft is discovering exactly how this happens.

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About STEREO

STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) is the third mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP). This two-year mission, launched October 2006, will provide a unique and revolutionary view of the Sun-Earth System. The two nearly identical observatories - one ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind - will trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to Earth. They will reveal the 3D structure of coronal mass ejections; violent eruptions of matter from the sun that can disrupt satellites and power grids, and help us understand why they happen. STEREO will become a key addition to the fleet of space weather detection satellites by providing more accurate alerts for the arrival time of Earth-directed solar ejections with its unique side-viewing perspective.

News Archive

Killer Electrons Surf Celestial Tsunamis

Boosted to almost the speed of light, "killer electrons" can knock out computers, pierce spacesuits and damage the tissues of astronauts.
Solar Hurricane Tears Comet Tail Off

NASA's STEREO satellite captured the first images ever of a collision between a coronal mass ejection and a comet.
New Film Opening in Boston Gives First 3D Look at the Sun

NASA's STEREO Mission is being presented in a new digital 3D film titled "3D Sun."
Out on the Fringe

STEREO observed a nice gathering of solar prominences in profile as they twisted, stretched and floated just above the solar surface.
STEREO Produces Solar Sequence in 3-D

By combining images taken almost simultaneously from the Ahead and Behind STEREO spacecraft, researchers have generated a 3-D sequence of four images.
Two Eclipses, One Observed Only by NASA

A total lunar eclipse, partly visible from every continent around the world, will occur on March 3, 2007.
Media Briefing: New Solar Images Herald Better Solar Storm Tracking

NASA scientists can track solar storms from the sun to Earth using the latest images from NASA's STEREO spacecraft.