A mass of plasma at the very top of the Sun rose up from the surface, streamed along, darted back and forth, and finally rose up and broke away into space (Nov. 19-21, 2012). The material was being controlled by strong, yet unseen, magnetic forces that were pulling it in various directions. The images were taken in extreme ultraviolet light.
A relatively small coronal mass ejection blew out from the Sun over a 10-hour period (Dec. 4-5, 2012). There was a rounded crown arcing over the active region before something triggered the event that blew it into space. The looping coils on the surface that followed are particles spiraling along magnetic field lines that are reconnecting with each other. The images were taken in extreme ultraviolet light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength (colorized red).
A cluster of active regions, with dynamic loops of charged particles that are tracing magnetic field lines, had a field day making and breaking connections with each other over 36 hours (Dec. 10-11, 2012). This close-up of about 20% of the visible surface was taken in extreme ultraviolet light. A small flare that flashes from the active region at the upper right about mid-way through the clip triggers a coiled tower of magnetic field lines as the regions try to reorganize themselves.
A dynamic active region is coming into view with scads of spurting plasma and magnetic loops darting and blossoming above it (Dec. 16-18, 2012). When viewed in profile (and in extreme ultraviolet light), the loop structures are easier to trace. When this region begins to face Earth in a few days, it may produce solar storms that could influence our “space weather”. We'll be keeping an eye on it.
