A Large Tsunami Shock Wave on the Sun
Explanation:
Tsunamis this large don't happen on Earth.
During 2006, a large solar flare from an Earth-sized
sunspot produced a
tsunami-type
shock wave that was spectacular even for the Sun.
Pictured above,
the
tsunami wave was captured moving out from active region AR 10930 by the
Optical Solar Patrol Network
(OSPAN) telescope in
New Mexico,
USA.
The resulting
shock wave, known technically as a
Moreton wave, compressed and heated up gasses including
hydrogen in the
photosphere
of the Sun, causing a momentarily brighter glow.
The
above image
was taken in a
very specific red color
emitted exclusively by hydrogen gas.
The
rampaging tsunami took out some active
filaments on the Sun,
although many re-established themselves later.
The
solar
tsunami spread at nearly one million kilometers per hour,
and circled the entire
Sun in a matter of minutes.
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.
