NASA launches satellites in solar mission

Updated: 17:16, Thursday, 26 October 2006

1 of 1 STEREO NASA mission to study sun
STEREO
NASA mission to study sun

The US space agency, NASA, has launched two satellites on a mission to study the sun in three dimensions for the first time.

The two-year Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory mission, known as STEREO, will be the first to view the sun from two separate vantage points outside Earth's orbit.

A NASA spokesperson, Dr Harvey Thorenson, said the mission would lead to a better understanding of violent explosions on the sun's surface, which can trigger severe magnetic storms on Earth.

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