CMEs Galore
The Sun popped off no fewer than 10 Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) over a 4.5-day period (Sept. 16-21, 2012). The final one in this period was a lopsided halo CME in which the particles cloud was seen heading out on all sides of the Sun. This was determined to have emerged from on the far side of the Sun. These LASCO C3 coronagraph images block out the Sun with an occulting disk with the white circle representing the size of the Sun. The rapid-fire pace of eruptions is another indication that the Sun is approaching its period of maximum activity, expected in 2013. The bright object moving out of the field of view to the left is Mercury.
Credit: NASA/ESA/SOHO
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SOHO: Pick of the Week (2012 Sep 21)
SOHO: Pick of the Week (2012 Sep 21)
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