TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer)

TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer) was a NASA spacecraft launched in 1998 to study the Sun’s atmosphere. It focused on the transition region and the corona, which are the Sun’s outer layers where magnetic activity creates phenomena like solar flares and loops. Using specialized instruments, TRACE captured high-resolution images that helped scientists understand how energy moves through these layers. Its observations improved knowledge of solar dynamics, space weather impacts, and the Sun’s magnetic behavior, contributing valuable insights into how solar activity affects the entire solar system. TRACE operated until 2010, greatly advancing solar physics research.