An
erupting filament lifts off the active solar surface and blasts an enormous
bubble of magnetic plasma into space. Direct light from the sun is blocked
in this picture of the event with the sun's relative position and size indicated
by a white half circle at bottom center. The field of view extends 2 million
kilometers or more from the solar surface. While hints of these explosive
events, called coronal mass ejections or CMEs, were discovered by spacecraft
in the early 70s, this dramatic image is part of a detailed record of this
CME's development from the presently operating SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory
(SOHO) spacecraft. |
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Near
the minimum of the solar activity cycle CMEs occur about once a week, but
as we approach solar maximum rates of two or more per day are anticipated.
Though this CME was clearly not headed for Earth, strong CMEs are seen to
profoundly influence space weather, and those directed toward our planet
and can have serious effects. |
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