A Twisted Solar Eruptive Prominence
Explanation:
Ten
Earths could easily fit in the "claw" of
this seemingly solar monster.
The monster, though, visible on the lower left, is
a huge eruptive prominence seen
moving out from our
Sun.
The above dramatic image taken early in the year 2000 by the
Sun-orbiting
SOHO satellite.
This large prominence, though, is significant
not only for its size, but its shape.
The twisted figure eight shape indicates that a complex
magnetic field threads
through the emerging
solar particles.
Differential rotation inside the
Sun might help account for the
surface explosion.
Although
large prominences
and energetic
Coronal Mass Ejections
(CMEs) are relatively rare,
they are occurred more frequently near
Solar Maximum,
the time of peak sunspot and
solar activity in the eleven-year
solar cycle.
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.
