There have never been such high resolution detailed close ups of the sun's surface.
Researchers say what they are seeing is already changing theories about the sun and its impact on life on earth. It will be especially important in predicting solar flares which cause disruptions here.
"The question is can we understand what the sun is doing and can we predict it and I think we're going to get a lot smarter in that area," NASA scientist Dr. Madhulika Guhathakurta said.
The satellite is designed to provide data to Earth for five years. Two of the instrument packages onboard were built by Lockheed Martin in Palo Alto.
