Churning Eruptive Prominence (Jul 25, 2008)

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The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft captured this interesting eruptive prominence over a two-day period (July 12-14, 2008). The ionized plasma observed is 60,000 degrees as seen in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Prominences are cooler clouds of gas suspended in the Sun's million-degree atmosphere by often competing magnetic forces. Some of the material is pulled one way and some another along arced paths defined by magnetic fields until, in this case, the material broke away and was dissipated.

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.