A Twisted Solar Eruptive Prominence
Explanation:
Ten
Earths
could easily fit in the "claw" of this seemingly solar monster.
The monster, actually a huge eruptive prominence, is seen moving out from our
Sun in this condensed half-hour time-lapse sequence.
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 of gas just inside the surface of the
Sun might help account for the surface explosion.
The five frame sequence was taken in early 2000 by the
Sun-orbiting
SOHO satellite.
Although
large prominences
and energetic
Coronal Mass Ejections
(CMEs) are relatively rare,
they are again occurring more frequently now that we are near the
Solar Maximum, a 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.
