PLN #24

For my 24th PLN, I read an article called "SOHO-Keeping an Eye on the Sun for 12years" posted by European Space Agency. The Solar and Heliosphere Observatory(SOHO) recently celebrated their twelfth launch anniversary on December 2nd. Over the past twelve years the satellite has witnessed an entire sun cycle which is approximately 11.1 years. Late in 1996 the satellite saw the end of the last sun cycle, then in 2001-2002 the cycle started over again resulting in a rapid rise in solar activity. Since then the solar activity has continuously declined even though it's been 11.1 years and is expected to begin rising again shortly.

What Matters: I think what matters from this article is that our space programs continue to launch satellites gain more knowledge about our universe and surrounding planets. This expanding knowledge could one day lead to human life on other planets. I also think it matters that we continue deal with space craft, and continue to develop as well as launch them. It's important that we collect this information to know when and where events in space are going to occur. the sun is just one of many aspects of the solar system that I feel we have only made a scratch on, and if we continue to collect data and information who knows what we'll find.

How This Affects Me: At this particular moment I wouldn't really say this affects me but who knows, in the very near future it definitely could. You never know it could take 10 more years or it could take 1000 more years until we have human life on other planets. Of coarse, to make life on other planets you need: a food source, water, and heat. If we know more about the sun it'll just make it that much easier for other things in space to be accomplished.