End of Summer Fireworks
The Sun blasted out at least 16 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in eight days (Aug. 20-27, 2012) as observed by a coronagraph on the STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft. These came from several active regions on the Sun. The cascading clouds of particles are visually impressive and impressive in scope: the average CME carries about a billion tons of particles into space at over one million miles per hour. This pace is another signal that the Sun is approaching its maximum period of activity. The video clip consists of over 900 frames: a cadence of an image every 15 minutes.
Note: this view is from 2/3 of the way around the Sun's right limb, as seen from Earth, because of Ahead's current position.
Credit: NASA/ESA/SOHO/STEREO
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SOHO: Pick of the Week (2012 Aug 31)
SOHO: Pick of the Week (2012 Aug 31)
Know the quiet place within your heart and touch the rainbow of possibility; be
alive to the gentle breeze of communication, and please stop being such a jerk. — Garrison Keillor
alive to the gentle breeze of communication, and please stop being such a jerk. — Garrison Keillor