Large Solar Flare (2010.01.17) [720p]

STEREO (Behind) was in position to observe an M-class (moderate) solar flare (Jan. 17, 2010), the largest one detected for more than two years. It was accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), seen as the large cloud of particles surrounding the bright flash as well as a wave of material spreading part way across the Sun. Solar activity level has been slumbering rather quietly, but this substantial active region has shown plenty of signs of life. Besides that flare, several other, smaller flares can be seen in the video (about 30 hours). The brightness of the flares causes the light to spread along pixel rows of the detector, its tell tale signature.

credit: NASA/ESA

source: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/pickoftheweek/old/22jan2010/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Sun
• STEREO spacecraft
• solar flare
• NASA
• ESA
• solar astronomy
• coronal mass ejection

[jorgesora]

Bahamut shot MEGAFLARE!

[djxatlanta]

LMAO!

[Fredsucks09]

how big would the flare be compared to Earths size?

[djxatlanta]

For size comparison, the Earth would be a little bigger than one of the dots in the colons at the bottom of the video where the time is displayed.

[TheWaterlily2012]

That is really interesting. Thanks for posting.

[djxatlanta]

Happens all the time on the sun... the sun goes through a cycle of active times and quiet times every 11 years, and we're now starting to get into an active season, so this kind of scene will be happening more and more over the next few years.

[2FaceOS]

OMG, i think i just saw george bush!!!

[invest41]

#OMG that is sooooo mazing!!!!

[Fredsucks09]

ok thanks for posting