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SDO Observes a Partial Lunar Eclipse 
On Nov. 7 for just under an hour, SDO viewed a lunar transit, when the Moon partially blocked SDO's view of the Sun. At its peak about 44% of the Sun was covered. In this view, the Sun was observed in extreme ultraviolet light and, as is customary, been given false color. These lunar transits provide scientific value as well: The sharp edge of the lunar limb helps researchers measure how light diffracts around the telescope's optics and filter support grids, allowing scientists to better calibrate the instruments for even sharper images. Lunar transits happen less often than the daily eclipses when the Earth passes in front of its view of the Sun during two three-week eclipse periods each year.
Search Tag(s): aia, 171, lunar transit
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