Explanation:
Sometimes part of the Sun can just explode into space.
These explosions might occur as
powerful solar flares,
coronal mass ejections, or
comparatively
tame
eruptive solar prominences.
Pictured above is one of
the
largest solar prominence eruptions yet observed,
one associated with a
subsequent coronal mass ejection.
The
prominence erupted last month and
was recorded by several Sun-sensing instruments, including
the recently launched
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
The
above time lapse sequence was captured by SDO and occurred over a few hours.
In recent months,
our Sun has becoming increasingly active,
following a few years of an
unusually dormant
solar minimum.
Over the next few years our Sun is
expected
to reach
solar maximum and exhibit
a dramatic increase in
sunspots and all types of
solar explosions.
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.
