The Window of the Universe
The Sun Now
The present state of the Sun
captured by SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory)
If the distance of the Sun were a little further away than it is now,
the environment of the Earth would be completely different. Just like Mars at present,
there would be no ocean at all, with the surface covered in deserts and ice,
and maybe no chance for any life to begin.
The Sun not only brings heat and light to the Earth, but also works to circulate water
and the atmosphere. It is the source of energy, which is essential for life.
This exhibition visualizes with super-high image quality the state of the Sun
based on high-resolution images obtained from the SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory)
and utilizing the latest technologies of AI and image processing.
You can glimpse the real picture of the dynamic Sun—sometimes beautiful,
sometime boisterous—with real-time images that capture the Sun’s current state,
changing each and every second.
Exhibition Contents
The Solar Dynamics Observatory captures images using different wavelengths in order to grasp the phenomena occurring in the Sun from various aspects. The difference in wavelengths corresponds to the difference in temperature. You can observe areas at a lower temperature with the longer wavelength (the figure is larger), and areas at a higher temperature with the shorter wavelength. The images mainly use two different wavelengths, and you can see slightly different things reflecting different temperatures for each wavelength. "Å (angstrom)" used here as a unit for wavelength is equivalent to 1/10 billion meters.
The Sun observed with a wavelength of 304Å
The wavelength of 304Å corresponds to the area at a temperature of about 50,000 degrees and allows an observation of the chromosphere, which is a higher layer than the surface of the Sun where sunspots are found. You can observe some dynamic phenomena, such as the movement of prominence, which is a mass of gas, along the magnetic field lines, and solar flares, which are an exploding phenomenon.
The Sun observed with a wavelength of 171Å
The wavelength of 171Å corresponds to the area at an even higher temperature of about 600,000 degrees. In this area, you can observe the flow of high-temperature plasma, influenced by the powerful magnetic field inside the Sun. The area called the corona, which is the outermost part of the Sun, can also be observed.
Back Story
SDO
(Solar Dynamics Observatory)
SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory), launched by NASA in 2010, is a satellite with the aim of observing solar activity with various wavelengths in real time and in ultra-high resolution, and studying its impact on the atmosphere and the magnetic field of the Earth. The satellite constantly observes the entire Sun, and can capture 4K images in intervals of 12 seconds. The daily volume of data transmitted from the satellite has reached 1.5 terabytes, and an exclusive reception facility was constructed. Images used for this exhibition are processed based on images sent from SDO, with their precision further increased using the latest AI and image processing technologies to provide a seamless view.
Relationship between
the Sun and the Earth
Many people may remember the news that an aurora was observed in various areas in Japan in 2024. Actually, auroras are generated by the interaction between substances released from the Sun and the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. Sometimes a solar flare, which is a violent explosion in the solar atmosphere, occurs and can emit strong X-rays that reach the Earth, and electrically charged particles can cause communications interference and power outages. The Sun not only brings heat and light to the Earth, but its activity is also closely involved with our everyday life.
2025 is the peak period of
solar activity
The Sun goes through active phases and quiet phases in intervals of 11 years, and 2025 is the peak period of the active phase. In this phase, auroras are observed in many places where they cannot usually be seen, including Japan. Activity on the surface of the Sun is increasing, so maybe you can observe what it is like with the image exhibition. Strong solar flares are also being observed, and their influence on the Earth is a concern.
In order to observe these events promptly and take necessary measures, space environment observation and a forecast system made up of multiple artificial satellites and a global network is being established. Such observation/forecast system is called the space weather forecast, and is utilized in areas such as communications, power generation, and space development.
Cooperation
