An Erupting Solar Prominence from SOHO
Explanation:
Our Sun is still very active.
In the year 2000, our Sun went though
Solar Maximum, the time in its 11-year
cycle
where the most sunspots and explosive activities occur.
Sunspots, the
Solar Cycle, and
solar prominences are all caused by the
Sun's changing magnetic field.
Pictured above is a
solar prominence that
erupted in 2002 July, throwing
electrons and
ions out into the
Solar System.
The above image was taken in the
ultraviolet light emitted by a specific type of ionized
helium, a common
element
on the
Sun.
Particularly hot areas appear in white,
while relatively cool areas appear in red.
Our
Sun should gradually quiet down until
Solar Minimum occurs, and the Sun is most quiet.
No one can precisely predict when
Solar Minimum will occur, although some
signs indicate that it has started already!
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.
