← ALL PROBES
DISTANCE FROM SUN0.9958 AU
DISTANCE FROM EARTH0.0099 AU
VELOCITY29.281 km/s
LIGHT TIME0 min
ACTIVE
0.9958
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
148,969,560 km
105,412
KM/H
VELOCITY
30 years, 141 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
0
MINUTES LIGHT TIME
ONE-WAY SIGNAL DELAY
1,850
KG
LAUNCH MASS
1
TARGETS
Sun-Earth L1
SOHO is a observatory mission by ESA / NASA targeting Sun-Earth L1. Launched December 2, 1995. Currently 0.9958 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT SOHO
SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) has been watching the Sun from the L1 Lagrange point since 1996, making it one of the longest-running space missions. A cornerstone of space weather monitoring, it has also enabled the discovery of over 4,000 comets, mostly by citizen scientists analyzing its coronagraph images.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Sun-grazing comets (over 4,000 discovered)
- Solar wind acceleration mechanisms
- Sub-surface solar dynamics
- Real-time coronal mass ejection tracking
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- Longest-running solar observatory (30+ years)
- Primary source for space weather monitoring
- Discovered over 4,000 comets (citizen science)
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (12)
EIT (Extreme UV Imaging)
LASCO (Coronagraph)
MDI/HMI (Magnetograph)
UVCS (UV Coronagraph)
CDS (Coronal Diagnostic)
SUMER (UV Spectrometer)
CELIAS (Charge/Element analysis)
COSTEP (Particle analyzer)
ERNE (Energetic particle experiment)
GOLF (Global oscillations)
VIRGO (Irradiance monitor)
SWAN (Solar wind anisotropies)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass1,850 kg (4,079 lbs)
PowerSolar panels
Launch VehicleAtlas IIAS
Launch DateDecember 2, 1995
Arrival DateFebruary 14, 1996
ProgramStationkeeping at L1
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Sun-Earth L1
🚀 LAUNCH MISSION