APOD: A Twisted Solar Eruptive Prominence (2015 Jan 25)

[APOD Robot]

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.

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[Boomer12k]

Always something interesting....

I wonder what it looked like from a broadside view?

:---[===] *

[Roger Venable]

I see no evidence that this prominence is twisted. Three streamers launched at slightly different directions from nearby surface locations, viewed in a certain perspective, will give the appearance seen in this image sequence. If it's twisted, active twisting movement should be seen from one image to the other, and I do not see that. Rather, I just see movement away from the Sun, without change in relative positions of the three separate streamers. Still, it's a wonderful view of a group of large, evolving prominences. (Perhaps there are more views, earlier in the eruption and later, which, if taken together, would convince me otherwise.)

[ta152h0]

I remember seeing a similar creature in a old Mars sci - fi movie, that would attack the humans there.

[BDanielMayfield]

I see no evidence that this prominence is twisted.

The last frame looks very twisted to me. These "streamers" are made of highly ionized plasma which is flowing along (or being carried along by) moving magnetic field lines. Magnetic fields in fluids can twist like crazy. If you doubt this consider auroras.

Bruce

[Speculator]

I see no evidence that this prominence is twisted.

The last frame looks very twisted to me. These "streamers" are made of highly ionized plasma which is flowing along (or being carried along by) moving magnetic field lines. Magnetic fields in fluids can twist like crazy. If you doubt this consider auroras.

Bruce

"How's your aurora Dora?" Mothers of Invention reinvented.

[Litter 11]

This appears to be similar to the April 3rd, 2000 APOD.

Litter

[bystander]

This appears to be similar to the April 3rd, 2000 APOD.

Many Sunday APODs are repeats. You missed 2003 Feb 23 and 2008 Jun 01, which were also Sundays.