Starship Asterisk*

by **bystander** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:54 pm

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Blossoming Prominence

A stretching cloud of particles above the Sun, arched, rose up and broke away from the Sun (Dec. 8, 2011) over five hours as viewed in profile in extreme ultraviolet light. These eruptive prominences are cooler clouds of unstable gases suspended above the Sun by magnetic forces. The sliding particles cascading above the bright, active region just to the north of the prominence make for interesting watching too.

by **bystander** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:54 pm

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Like Painting on the Sun's Layers

The images of this Sun (Dec. 7, 2011) taken at almost the same time are shown in various wavelengths in various temperatures and layers of the Sun. In addition, we superimposed an illustration of the Sun's magnetic field lines to the view. We start off looking at the 6,000 degrees C. photosphere that shows the various sunspots on the "surface" of the Sun. Then we transition into the region between the chromosphere and the corona, at about 1 million degrees C. where, in extreme UV light, the active regions appear lighter. We phase in a composite of three different wavelengths showing temperatures up to 2 million degrees C. To top it off, we overlay a science-based estimation of the complex magnetic field lines (partly made visible in the first UV image) extending from and connecting the active regions before going back to the sunspot image. Who says the Sun is boring?

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:38 pm

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Letting Loose

A mass of swirling plasma rose up above the Sun, twisted and turned for almost a day, then broke away in to space (Nov. 29-30, 2011). The close up still and video clip in extreme ultraviolet light from SDO show material (at 90,000 degrees F.) near an active region being buffeted and pulled by magnetic forces. Two other active regions (lighter areas nearer the center and also lower left) show some good dynamic activity as well.

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:35 pm

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Breakaway Prominence

A long, solar prominence that rotated into view almost two weeks ago finally became disorganized and broke away into space forming a nifty large loop as it did (Nov. 21-23, 2011). NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) watched in extreme ultraviolet light as the magnetic forces that tethered it in place gradually became unstable, the prominence began to crumble, and eventually lifted off. The Sun is becoming more active as it approaches the solar maximum expected in 2013.

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:30 pm

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Snap! Partial Lift-off

A portion of an extremely long filament (over 1,000,000 km) that was stretched across much of the face of the Sun gracefully erupted into space ( Nov. 14, 2011). Filaments are cooler gas structures that are tethered to the Sun by magnetic forces. About the upper third of this filament rose up and broke away, but the other two-thirds still remains in sight. The images were taken in extreme ultraviolet light. The video clips covers about 12 hours of activity.

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:25 pm

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Swirling Plasma

This close-up view of a prominence reveals magnetic forces at work as they pull plasma strands this way and that before it gradually breaks away from the Sun over a one-day period (Nov. 14-15, 2011). The activity was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. This prominence activity is not uncommon, especially now that the Sun's overall level of activity is increasing towards its peak expected around mid-2013.

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:20 pm

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Flare and Field Line Coiling Up Close

Watch a close-up of a flare and the resulting magnetic coils of loops in a combination of three extreme ultraviolet wavelengths of light as an active region reorganizes itself over nine hours (Oct. 22, 2011). It's interesting to note the dark "blobs" falling downward into the flare from above. Remember, these are NOT dense blobs of cool matter--they're actually voids in plasma: planet-sized bubbles of low density, moving through the 15 million-degree plasma.

by **bystander** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:15 pm

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An X1.9 Flare at 2011 Nov 03 2027 UT

Active region AR11339 let go an X1.9 flare 2011 Nov 03 2027 UT. This large and complex active region just rotated onto the disk and we will watch it for the next 10 days.

by **bystander** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:58 pm

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Triumvirate Coming Around

One large and two good-sized, energetic active regions were rotating into view (Nov. 1-2, 2011). Note how the magnetic connection between the upper two areas clearly begin to reach over and interact with each other. Above them, the magnetic field lines, made visible in extreme ultraviolet light by particles spiraling along them, rise out and loop back to the Sun, constantly changing their structures. The image and movie were made by combining two different wavelengths of UV light. The upper most active region has already produced several M-Class (moderate sized) flares. As these regions rotate towards the center of the Sun, any solar storms they generate could produce effects here on Earth. We'll be keeping an eye out on them.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:15 pm

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Three in Profile

Three energized active regions that were lined up latitudinally (along a North-South line) rotated into profile view at the Sun's edge and put on a good solar show (Oct. 21-23, 2011). They were observed in extreme ultraviolet light. The magnetic forces of the active regions were feverishly connecting and reconnecting the entire time. Towards the end of the clip, the middle region spurted off a burst of plasma and then the upper one erupted with a flare, followed by cascades of bright loops reorganizing themselves above it. SDO's high resolution images and fast cadence of images let us see a level of detail never before possible.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:37 pm

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Stacked Loops: Three Flavors

Three active regions lined up vertically and each of the loop structures above them twisted differently when viewed in extreme ultraviolet light (Oct. 15 - 17, 2011). The high arching loops of the top active region seemed to lean to the north; the one beneath it clearly coiled to the south; at the bottom, one spread mostly upright and to the left and right as well. The loops are tracing particles spiraling along magnetic field lines that have emerged from underneath the Sun's surface. While the movie shows that the loops shifted and changed over 2.5 days, the basic structure of all three remained very much the same. It is not common to see active regions so neatly aligned atop one another.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:44 pm

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Long Distance Connection

The magnetic field lines of two active regions on the Sun gradually reached across about one-third of the Sun and connected with each other over a little more than one day (Oct. 6-7, 2011). Active regions are magnetically intense areas that emerge from beneath the Sun's surface. The tenuous tendrils of the field lines became visible as the two active regions, not quite in sight of the spacecraft, began to rotate around, giving SDO had a good profile view of the wispy connection process. While long distance connections have been observed before, they are rarely so long reaching or so clearly defined. This observation does help underscore the interconnections of certain features of the Sun.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:08 pm

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Interacting Active Regions

A series of active regions, lined up one after the other across the upper half of the Sun, twisted and interacted with each other over 4.5 days (Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2011). As seen in extreme UV light, the magnetically intense active regions sported coils of arcing loops and numerous times these magnetic field lines above them can be seen connecting with the active region next door. Towards the end of the clip, a leading active region blasted out a coronal mass ejection, quickly succeeded by a blast from another active region. The disruption of the magnetic field from one likely triggered the second, a phenomenon that we have observed before by SDO.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:14 pm

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Spewing Flare Event

The Sun popped off an M-Class (moderate level) flare on Sept. 25, 2011 that sent a plume of plasma out above the Sun, but a good portion of it appeared to fall back towards the active region (AR 1302) that launched it. The activity in the video clip, seen in extreme ultraviolet light, covers just 3 hours. With an image every minute, every nuance of graceful motion can be observed in wonderful detail. The bright flash shows the flare itself erupting. Since this event, this active region has been the source of several large flares and many lesser ones that have caused geo-effective storms on Earth as it has rotated around towards facing us.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:26 am

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Big, Bright Flare

Just as an active region (AR 1302) rotated into view, it unleashed a large (X1.4 class) solar flare (Sept. 22, 2011) as well as several smaller flares and a significant coronal mass ejection. Predictions are that the storm will likely not impact Earth. Following the bright flare, one can see brilliant coils of magnetic field lines regrouping themselves. Images were taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in extreme ultraviolet light.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

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by **bystander** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:43 pm

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Large Flare and Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)

The Sun unleashed a large X class (strongest category) flare late on Sept. 7 and into early Sept. 8, 2011. The images were taken in extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from SDO. The video clip presents the flash of the flare and a mass of ejecta that rose above the Sun, some of which fell back to the surface. However, other instruments from SOHO and STEREO showed a large mass of particles rushing out into space. Flares emit a great deal of radiation, but this is not captured in this wavelength of light. The brightness of this flare caused very bright saturation and 'blooming' above and below the flare region on the CCD detector and caused extended diffraction patterns to spread out.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:14 am

Multi-wavelength flare

The Sun unleashed a series of flares over several days, of which this one on September 6, 2011 was the largest, an X 2.1 flare (major). The still shows the flash of the flare in one wavelength of extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from SDO. The video clip presents a series of five stills taken at the same time in various wavelengths of UV light. The brightness of the flare causes very bright saturation and 'blooming' above and below the flare region on the CCD detector and caused extended diffraction patterns to spread out to some degree in all the images.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

by **bystander** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:23 pm

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Sputtering Active Region

A close-up of one active region, seen in profile in extreme ultraviolet light, produced an interesting display of dynamic and frenetic sputtering over three days (Aug. 28-30, 2011). The twisted magnetic fields of this region featured several flares and shot out at least a dozen bursts of particles, including one solar prominence that rose up and fell back to the surface. Particles can also be seen streaming in twisting and shifting arcs that trace some of its magnetic field lines above the same active region.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

by **bystander** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:01 pm

Spectacular Eruption

On June 7, 2011 the Sun unleashed an M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare (white flash in the first image) with a spectacular coronal mass ejection (CME, which is the darker material). The large cloud of particles mushroomed up and fell back down looking as if it covered an area almost half the solar surface. We took three stills of the event that cover just 30 minutes of activity to give a sense of the event's progression in stages. SDO recorded these images in extreme ultraviolet light that show a very large eruption of cool gas. It is somewhat unique because at many places in the eruption there seems to be even cooler material -- at temperatures less than 80,000 K.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

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by **bystander** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:01 pm

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Changing its Spots

SDO watched as areas of a sunspot group changed substantially over 2.5 days (Aug. 21-23, 2011). While one sunspot shrunk to just a dot or two, another one nearby came out of nowhere, twisted, elongated and grew so that it dwarfed the other spots. Sunspots have been known to change fairly quickly, so this is not a new phenomenon. Still, it is interesting to watch them transform themselves. Sunspots are darker cooler areas of intense magnetism that rise up from below the Sun's surface. The images and movie were produced using visible light pictures from the HMI (Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager) instrument.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/HMI

by **bystander** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 2:47 am

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Active Region Threesome

A pair of dynamic active regions rotated into view as SDO caught the activity over for a little over two days (Aug. 15 - 17, 2011). One can compare the activity in this side-by-side-by-side video clip in three wavelengths. At left, plasma near the surface is shown at 60,000 degrees in extreme ultraviolet light. Note that the feature rising up above the Sun's edge between the active regions is a quiescent prominence. The middle portion with many looping arcs, also in extreme UV light, shows plasma heated to about a million degrees. The right portion shows the magnetically intense sunspots themselves that are the sources of all the activity. These areas have produced smaller solar storms and could yet generate stronger ones. Time will tell.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA/HMI

by **bystander** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:27 pm

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X7 Flare Blasts into Space

An X7 (major) solar flare, coronal wave and a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted on Aug. 9, 2011. This is the largest solar flare thus far of only three X-class flares for Solar Cycle 24!! The brightness of the flare causes very bright saturation and 'blooming' above and below the flare region on the CCD detector and caused extended diffraction patterns to spread out across the SDO imager, which was observing the Sun in extreme ultraviolet light. The solar storm, which originated on the far right side of the Sun, was not Earth-directed. The video clip covers about 90 minutes of action.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

HEAPOW: X-Class (2011 Aug 15)
http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=24908

GSFC: Sun Unleashes X6.9 Class Flare (2011 Aug 09)
http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=24829

by **bystander** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:24 pm

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Earth-directed solar storm

An M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun and headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 4, 2011). This was the third flare in three days from Active Region 1261. The CME, seen in the 304 wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light from Solar Dynamics Observatory, can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. The movie covers about eight hours of activity. The Sun itself is superimposed on SOHO C2 coronagraph. The snowstorm effect is caused by high-energy particles from the flare striking SOHO's imager. The lop-sided but fast-moving cloud of particles headed off in the general direction of and may generate some aurora activity when it arrives.

Credit: NASA/SOHO/SDO

by **bystander** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:00 pm

Third Flare in Three Days
SDO: Pick of the Week (2011 Aug 05)

An M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun and headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 4, 2011). This was the third flare in three days from Active Region 1261. The still shows the characteristic spreading of light caused by the brightness of the flare as observed in extreme ultraviolet light. But, the CME can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. The movie covers about four hours of activity. It is predicted that the particle cloud will impact Earth in a few days, when it will likely generate bright auroras as far south as Pennsylvania and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space. The power of the storm is ranked as K-7 on a 1-9 scale. You can also watch the event in another wavelength (AIA304 in reddish-orange) of extreme UV light in which the CME appears more clearly, but the flare is not as obvious.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

Third Flare in Three Days
SDO Image Gallery (2011 Aug 05)

An M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun and headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 4, 2011). This was the third flare in three days from Active Region 1261. The CME, in the 304 wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. The movie covers about four hours of activity. It is predicted that the particle cloud will impact Earth in a few days, when it will likely generate bright auroras as far south as Pennsylvania and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space. The power of the storm is ranked as K-7 on a 1-9 scale.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

Sun blows out another big one, expect aurorae tonight!
http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php? ... 90#p154490

by **bystander** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:40 pm

Flash Flare

An M6 flare (medium-sized) associated with a coronal mass ejection blasted out from the Sun and appears to be headed in the general direction of Earth (Aug. 3, 2011). The still show the characteristic spreading of light caused by the brightness of the flare as observed in extreme ultraviolet light. The movie covers about two hours of activity. If this particle cloud bumps Earth in a few days, it might generate bright auroras and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

Solar Storm Heading Our Way
http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=24703

Starship Asterisk*

SDO: Pick of the Week 2011

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