Starship Asterisk*

Posted: **Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:03 pm**

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Solar Plasma Swirls, Erupts

A prominence composed of solar plasma just behind the edge of the Sun, rose up and swirled around for many hours, then burst away into space over about a one-day period (Nov. 18-19, 2012). Unseen magnetic fields, mostly above this area, are the driving forces behind the event. This action was captured in extreme ultraviolet light by Solar Dynamics Observatory. Events like this are fairly common, but when viewed in profile, it is easier to see the dynamics of the plasma more clearly.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

Posted: **Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:07 pm**

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Double Prominence Eruptions

The Sun erupted with two prominence eruptions, one after the other over a four-hour period (Nov. 16, 2012). The action was captured in the 304 Angstrom wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. It seems possible that the disruption to the Sun's magnetic field might have triggered the second event since they were in relatively close proximity to each other. The expanding particle clouds heading into space do not appear to be Earth-directed.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO/AIA

<< Previous SDO

Starship Asterisk*

SDO: Image Gallery (2012 Nov 21)

SDO: Image Gallery (2012 Nov 21)

SDO: Pick of the Week (2012 Nov 21)