Filament Blasting into Space (February 1, 2013)

Hi-res TIF (526K)

Movies: QT: Large (1.2M), MPEG: Large (1.9M), MP4 (1.7M), M4V (610K)

A strand of solar filament broke away from the Sun and out into space (Jan. 23, 2013). In the STEREO (Behind) spacecraft image, the green Sun (false color) viewed in extreme UV light has been superimposed on the dark disk of the COR1 coronagraph that views activity in the Sun's corona. Leading the way was the smooth front of a coronal mass ejection, followed by the double strands of plasma, seen in bright, then fainter white as they expand into space. Filaments are unstable clouds of cooler gases that are tethered not far above the Sun. They often break apart as seen here. The movie covers 12 hours of activity.

SOHO began its Weekly Pick some time after sending a weekly image or video clip to the American Museum of Natural History (Rose Center) in New York City. There, the SOHO Weekly Pick is displayed with some annotations on a large plasma display.

If your institution would also like to receive the same Weekly Pick from us for display (usually in Photoshop or QuickTime format), please send your inquiry to steele.hill@gsfc.nasa.gov.