18 Jun 2023 Lunar Transit

Between 0557--0612 UTC (01:57--02:12 ET) on 18 Jun 2023, SDO is experience a brief lunar transit. The Moon will cover about 3% of the Sun, but because it will pass over the top diode SDO will leave science mode during the transit.

Here is the Flight Ops Team movie of the transit

I hope everyone is enjoying SDO's view of the Sun as we near the maximum of Solar Cycle 25!

20 May 2023 Lunar Transit and the Long-term Predicts for the 3rd Quarter of 2023

The 2023-094 FDS Quarterly (Long-Set) Predicts have been delivered. They include events through 05 Nov 2023. The highlights are:

• 20 May 2023, 0222--0306 UTC (22:22--23:06 ET) - LunTran_2023140_3dc_82pshdw
• 18 Jun 2023, 0557--0612 UTC (01:57--02:12 ET) - LunTran_2023169_1dc_3pshdw
• 21 Jun 2023, TBD - Tentative date for Momentum Management Maneuver #47
• 04 Jul 2023, 1148 UTC (07:48 ET) - Handover Season Starts with First Handover (-Z HGA Active Prior)
• 20 Jul 2023, 0725 UTC (03:25 ET) - Eclipse Season Starts
• 26 Jul 2023, TBD - Tentative Date for Station Keeping Maneuver #27
• 04 Aug 2023, 1913--1919 UTC (15:13--1519 ET) - Solar RFI
• 05 Aug 2023, 1910--1918 UTC (15:10--1518 ET) - Solar RFI
• 06 Aug 2023, 1909--1916 UTC (15:09--15:19 ET) - Solar RFI
• 15 Aug 2023, 0248 UTC (22:48 ET) - Handover Season Ends with Completion of Last Handover (+Z HGA Active After)
• 16 Aug 2023, 0659 UTC (02:59 ET) - Eclipse Season Ends
• 05 Nov 2023, 0200 ET - Daylight Saving Time Ends, GSFC Local Time now UTC-5:00

(All dates and times in parentheses are GSFC Local time.)

Here is a movie of the predicted 20 May 2023 lunar transit:

And here is what a daily movie shows for that date: