Mandatory Credit: Photo by NASA / Rex Features ( 1278750a ) Latest image of the far side of the Sun based on high resolution STEREO data, taken on February 2, 2011 at 23 First Ever View of The Sun in 3-D NASA has captured the first ever view of the Sun in 3-D. The STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) mission sees two nearly identical observatories on diametrically opposite sides of the Sun - one ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind - able to trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to Earth. Positioned 180 degrees apart, they have produced the most complete view of the Sun so far. The twin probes moved into position on opposite sides of the sun on 6 February and are now beaming back uninterrupted images of the entire star-front and back. "For the first time ever, we can watch solar activity in its full 3-dimensional glory," says Angelos Vourlidas, a member of the STEREO science team at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC. "This is a big moment in solar physics," says Vourlidas. "STEREO has revealed the sun as it really is - a sphere of hot plasma and intricately woven magnetic fields." Each STEREO probe photographs half of the star and beams the images to Earth. Researchers combine the two views to create a sphere. STEREO's telescopes are tuned to four wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet radiation selected to trace key aspects of solar activity such as flares, tsunamis and magnetic filaments. Nothing escapes their attention. "With data like these, we can fly around the sun to see what's happening over the horizon-without ever leaving our desks," says STEREO program scientist Lika Guhathakurta at NASA headquarters. "I expect great advances in theoretical solar physics and space weather forecasting." MUST CREDIT: NASA/Rex Features DM For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/QRXFWHJYV