NOAA's new satellite could better predict aurora shows

The first U.S. satellite designed for full-time space weather monitoring is now operational, NOAA says.

Why it matters: SOLAR-1 will keep an eye out for solar winds and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can wreck havoc on Earth's radio signals, GPS service, power grids, space launches and more.

• CMEs can also trigger impressive aurora displays, like the incredible May 2024 show seen worldwide.

Driving the news: SOLAR-1 passed an eight-month testing process with flying colors after being launched last September.

• It sits at a Lagrange point — an "orbital parking spot" nearly a million miles away between Earth and the Sun, where their gravitational pulls balance out with the centripetal force felt by a spacecraft.
• That spot offers an uninterrupted view of the Sun, perfect for a satellite designed to keep watch on our solar system's nuclear engine.

By the numbers: SOLAR-1 can transmit CME images to forecasters at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center within 30 minutes, a huge boost compared to the eight hours from existing instruments.

What they're saying: "SOLAR-1 is a cornerstone of the nation's space weather early warning system, providing the observations needed to issue timely watches, warnings, alerts, and decision support before solar storms impact critical infrastructure and missions," NOAA says in a statement.

What's next: Data from SOLAR-1 could also prove invaluable to aurora hunters seeking their next glimpse of one of the world's most captivating natural phenomena.