Broad Prominence Eruption (October 8, 2010)

Hi-res TIF image (1.5M)

Quicktime Movie: Large (5.0M) Small (811K)
MPEG Movie (2.3M)

The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft was in position to get a profile view of this wide spreading prominence eruption (Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2010). The ends of the prominence were far enough apart that the spread of the eruption extended across about 30 degrees of the Sun. Prominences are unstable clouds of gases held above the Sun by powerful magnetic forces. Frequently, something disrupts them and the prominences break away. The eruption began and disappeared from view in less than six hours.

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.