A new view of the solar corona from the transition region and coronal explorer (TRACE)

The TRACE Observatory is the first solar-observing satellite in the Nationa l Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Small Explorer series. Laun ched April 2, 1998, it is providing views of the solar transition region an d low corona with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The corona is now seen to be highly filamented, and filled with flows and other dynam ic processes. Structure is seen down to the resolution limit of the instrum ent, while variability and motions are observed at all spatial locations in the solar atmosphere, and on very short time scales. Flares and shock wave s are observed, and the formation of long-lived coronal structures, with co nsequent implications for coronal heating models, has been seen. This overv iew describes the instrument and presents some preliminary results from the first six months of operation. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1 070-664X(99)91805-0].