Nary a TRACE to be found (June 25, 2010)

Hi-res TIF image (1.2M)

Quicktime Movie: Large ( 11M), Small (2.1M)
MPEG Movie (6.4M)

The stalwart and accomplished TRACE Small Explorer (SMEX) mission is ending its operations. Its close-up observations of the Sun's outer atmosphere have been largely superseded by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Launched in April 1998, TRACE was the first NASA solar research satellite since the Solar Maximum Mission.

The launch was scheduled to allow joint observations with SOHO during the rising phase of the solar cycle to sunspot maximum. No transition region or coronal imager had previously witnessed the onset and rise of a solar cycle, and the two missions have worked hand in hand ever since. This 2002 still and movie of post flare loops is one of their favorites. A tip our hats to a mission well done!

SOHO began its Weekly Pick some time after sending a weekly image or video clip to the American Museum of Natural History (Rose Center) in New York City. There, the SOHO Weekly Pick is displayed with some annotations on a large plasma display.

If your institution would also like to receive the same Weekly Pick from us for display (usually in Photoshop or QuickTime format), please send your inquiry to steele.hill@gsfc.nasa.gov.