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Deep-space Weather Satellite Reaches Final Orbit

DSCOVR orbits the sun at Lagrange point 1 - an area of neutral gravity 1-million miles from the Earth.
DSCOVR orbits the sun at Lagrange point 1 - an area of neutral gravity 1-million miles from the Earth.

A deep-space weather satellite reached its final orbit. The satellite will provide crucial data about the Sun and Earth to scientists.

More than 100 days after launching from Cape Canaveral, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) reached its final orbit 1-million miles from earth.

The satellite will provide improved measurements of solar winds and serve as an advanced warning system against these geomagnetic storms – bursts of energy from the sun that interfere with telecom and GPS systems here on earth.

The satellite is orbiting the sun at Lagrange point 1 – an area of neutral gravity between the Earth and Sun.

The satellite will also monitor ozone, aerosol and radiation levels on Earth – data that will help scientists understand climate change.

Brendan Byrne is WMFE's Assistant News Director, managing the day-to-day operations of the WMFE newsroom, editing daily news stories, and managing WMFE's internship program.

Byrne also hosts WMFE's weekly radio show and podcast "Are We There Yet?" which explores human space exploration.