The STEREO solar observation satellites has just released the first full-globe 360^o image of the Sun ever obtained

NASA scientist explains: “Until now there has always been an unseen part of the Sun. Although that unseen part has always rotated into view within a week or two, a global model must include all of the Sun to understand where the magnetic field goes through the surface.”

With these new 360^o view of the Sun, we will get a much better understanding of the solar activity, and a far earlier warning of upcomming solar storms, that might pose a danger to satellites and astronauts

“Once images of the entire Sun are available we can model the entire magnetic field of the Sun. This has become quite important as we are using STEREO and SDO to study how the entire magnetic field of the Sun reacts to the explosions of even small flares. By seeing both poles we should be able to understand why the polar magnetic field is a good predictor of solar activity,” said Pesnell.

MORE AT: STEREO Mission page at NASA