When the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) climate satellite tv for pc GOES-19 turns its gaze towards the solar, scientists do not anticipate to see our dwelling planet. But there it was just lately — Earth, drifting briefly throughout the sting of the picture captured by the satellite tv for pc’s CCOR-1 coronagraph.
The photograph, shared by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center on X, exhibits our planet silhouetted by the photo voltaic corona.
What is it?
The image was taken by GOES-19, the newest in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series operated by NOAA. Launched in 2024 and declared operational in early 2025, GOES-19 constantly screens Earth’s climate and the turbulent house setting surrounding it.
Where is it?
GOES-19 sits around 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, in geostationary orbit. At this altitude, orbital speed matches Earth’s rotational speed, allowing satellites to “hover” over patches of the planet.
Why is it amazing?
Among the instruments GOES-19 uses is CCOR-1, quick for Compact Coronagraph 1, an experiment designed to seize real-time photos of the solar’s outer environment, often called the corona. Normally invisible to the human eye, the corona glows faintly in seen mild and extends hundreds of thousands of miles into house. It is from this area that coronal mass ejections (CMEs), huge bursts of plasma and magnetic subject, erupt into the photo voltaic system, typically hanging Earth and disturbing satellites, energy grids and communication networks.
Though this picture could appear like an area selfie gone improper, it exhibits that CCOR-1 is working as designed; it is delicate sufficient to seize faint photo voltaic constructions even when an object as vibrant as Earth enters its view. Earth’s photobomb additionally gives a helpful calibration check, serving to scientists perceive how CCOR-1 handles stray mild, reflections and the brightness distinction between celestial objects.
Want to study extra?
You can study extra about coronagraphs and weather satellites.