Sun Storm: A Coronal Mass Ejection
Explanation:
Late last month another erupting filament
lifted off
the active solar surface and blasted this enormous bubble of
magnetic plasma into space.
Direct light from the sun is blocked in this picture of the event with the
sun's relative position and size indicated by a white half circle at
bottom center.
The field of view extends 2 million kilometers
or more from the solar surface.
While hints of
these explosive events, called
coronal mass ejections or CMEs,
were discovered by spacecraft in the early 70s this
dramatic image is part of a detailed record
of this CME's development from the presently operating
SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.
Near the minimum of the
solar activity cycle
CMEs occur about once a week, but as we approach solar maximum rates
of two or more per day
are anticipated.
Though this CME was clearly not headed for Earth,
strong CMEs are seen to profoundly
influence
space weather,
and those directed toward our planet
and can have
serious effects.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
