Nasa to Bring Sun Into Third Dimension

Two spacecrafts have been launched from the same rocket for the first time in a mission to capture the first three-dimensional images of the sun.

Nasa's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observation mission, or Stereo, successfully blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida last night after a series of technical hitches delayed previous launch attempts.

The two-year mission will study powerful eruptions from the sun, known as coronal mass ejections, which trigger space storms that can disrupt powers supplies on earth.

The two spacecraft were launched from a Delta II rocket. About 25 minutes after lift-off they separated from the rocket and are sending signals back to Nasa.

The two observation craft have been set on separate orbits to provide the unique images of the solar star.

A statement from Nasa likened this to the vision of pair of eyes. "Just as the slight offset between human eyes provides depth perception, this placement will allow Stereo observatories to obtain three-dimensional images of the sun," it said.

Dr Michael Kaiser, Nasa's project scientist for Stereo, said the mission would help predict space weather.

"In terms of space weather forecasting, we're where weather forecasters were in the 1950s. They didn't see hurricanes until the rain clouds were right above them, in our case, we can see storms leaving the sun but we have to make guesses and use models of figure out if and when it will impact earth."

It is hoped that understanding of coronal mass ejections, which can be a billion times more powerful than a megatonne nuclear explosion, will give power companies better protection against space storms.

It should also help satellite and airline operators and improve safety on future manned space missions.

Nasa has also released a video about the project