Solar eclipse as seen from outer space

This image was taken on 21st February 2012 from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which is a satellite located in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above the Earth's surface.

This view resulted when the moon came in between the SDO satellite and the sun. For 1 hour and 41 minutes the SDO observed the Lunar Transit.

This event only happens a few times a year.



The following video shows the lunar eclipse in a variety of wavelengths. Each wavelength shows a different temperature and layer of the Sun, hence allows us to study the sun and its activities.



The SDO is a NASA mission which will observe the Sun for over five years. It was launched in February 2010.