Huge Solar Prominence Eruption

The STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft caught this spectacular eruptive prominence in extreme UV light as it blasted away from the Sun (Apr. 12-13, 2010). This was certainly among the largest prominence eruptions seen by either the STEREO or SOHO missions. The length of the prominence appears to stretch almost halfway across the sun, about 500,000 miles. Prominences are cooler clouds of plasma that hover above the surface, tethered by magnetic forces. They are notoriously unstable and commonly erupt as this one did in a dramatic fashion. The video clip shows about 19 hours of activity.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NASA
• STEREO
• Sun
• eruptive prominence

[MrSteeleman1]

Dear Postal133 -- That's the Sun rotating. It rotates once about every 27 days. The movement of either STEREO spacecraft in its orbit would be almost negligible in such a relatively short video clip.

[MrSteeleman1]

We may yet get a glancing blow of particles from the eruption, but it will have no major effect on Earth. maybe some aurora. The coronal mass ejection's cloud is so disperse when it gets here. But it doe carry some magnetic field from the Sun and that at times can upset satellites, navigation, and communications a little. No need to duck!

[VanillaShoelace]

It's so amazing that we get to study a star so close up. Every time I go outside and feel the heat of the sun I think about the fact that I'm feeling the heat of something that is 93 million miles away!

Solar astronomy is a wonderful field of study!

[TacairStationHQ]

Simply incredible capture of this massive 'CME'. Truly stunning (good thing it didn't come our way). Cheers to NASA. This is tremendous science gain for the buck.

While we need continued, expanded and 'cooperative' manned missions, I'll just vote that we need more mid-term joint-investment into sats and probes and rovers, etc.

[pogpog28]

First destructive solar flare was recorded in 1859. Telegraph poles were on fire and telegraph network were down. After careful study, next event was already foreseen with 90% life wipe out but Scientists coded the actual date in Religious way to prevent people from panicking (late 19th century). Micheal the Archangel was the key where he defeated Satan and save the Earth from burning in Hell. 2012 - 1859 = 153.

Search 153 that relates "Micheal the Archangel" in Google. You'll be surprised.

[sebz661]

The sun is entering a particularly active time, says NASA, and big flares like the one from yesterday will likely be common during the next few years, with solar activity expected to peak around 2013.

[Kohrote]

@youchris67 Cool!

[juan2Tv]

is this the real sun fo real?

[ParaglidingManiac]

HUUUUGE!

[Soultaker1982]

Not a good day to go tanning, trust me.

[ofekishay]

dammmmnnnn

[SherrieLeaLaird]

@MrSteeleman1 This footage is from March 30th, 2010 NOT IN APRIL

I have the original footage they are hurrying to cover up.

[SherrieLeaLaird]

CERN did this on MARCH 30th 2010 All 3's....Just like CERN was engaged during the Norway Spiral and a host of other things...These cats want us to believe it's the end of the world even if they have to BRING it on themselves...Find out who and what they are. Nasa skull and bones 322 equals March 22...same day as Georgia Guide Stones..same day as obama care. First day of ARies... Arian... Arian NAZI NASA!

[steamingpoopfart]

nasa says due to the size of our sun in the red giant phase there is a 32% chance the sun will supernova