NASA's SDO Captures a Monster Prominence [video]

NASA image captured Feb. 24, 2011

To see an image showing the size of the prominence in comparison to the size of earth click here.

To view a high res still from this event go here: www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5483196119/

When a rather large-sized (M 3.6 class) flare occurred near the edge of the Sun, it blew out a gorgeous, waving mass of erupting plasma that swirled and twisted over a 90-minute period (Feb. 24, 2011). This event was captured in extreme ultraviolet light by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft . Some of the material blew out into space and other portions fell back to the surface. Because SDO images are super-HD, we can zoom in on the action and still see exquisite details. And using a cadence of a frame taken every 24 seconds, the sense of motion is, by all appearances, seamless. Sit back and enjoy the jaw-dropping solar show.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

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Comments and faves

  1. ★

    ^Javier Bravo^, yvrk, sbouboux, Picture Books, and 518 other people added this video to their favorites.

  2. yvrk (27 months ago | reply)

    Stunning!

  3. jamieball833 (27 months ago | reply)

    That is incredible!

  4. winston.1 { very busy.} (27 months ago | reply)

    Fabulous....

  5. Atsah Images (27 months ago | reply)

    How can you not marvel at that.

  6. timington (27 months ago | reply)

    outstanding!

  7. Ken_Lord (27 months ago | reply)

    I bet that to scale, the Earth placed in this image would be about this big: O

  8. Roger Hooton (27 months ago | reply)

    Just shows you how global warming using fossil fuels on Earth is now causing problems on the Sun ;-)

  9. Sienar (27 months ago | reply)

    Breathtaking. Thank you for sharing!

  10. NASA Goddard Photo and Video (27 months ago | reply)

    you are right about that!

  11. andrew-f (27 months ago | reply)

    , contrary to opinion, I think it is a good joke. One should not be afraid of humor. Humor always has been and always will be great tool of discussion. Like this example says, that we should not only blame every other CO emission, but also shouldn't forget about natural processes in the universe.

  12. Joseph Brimacombe (27 months ago | reply)

    wow

  13. GeoDawn (27 months ago | reply)

    That. Is. Cool!!

  14. richexposure (27 months ago | reply)

    Amazing!!!

  15. Tony Buckley (27 months ago | reply)

    'Awesome' is a much over-used word. This, however, is.

  16. chikoleao (27 months ago | reply)

    O astro rei ,sol tem o direito e o dever de vomitar na hora que ele quiser Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

  17. Miah.S (27 months ago | reply)

    That is freaking AMAZING !

  18. EYECCD (27 months ago | reply)

    The motion is so strange. This is completely and literally awesome!.

  19. AndrewHuntPhotography (27 months ago | reply)

    Incredible video. I love the way the plasma falls back into the Sun.

  20. staxnet (27 months ago | reply)

    That's hot.

  21. StJude1 (27 months ago | reply)

    "... flare occurred near the edge of the Sun..."
    Isn't it all edge? Or all centre depending on your POV
    Still, awesome clip. Imagine that hitting the earth...

  22. Glossolalia Black (27 months ago | reply)

    Science is sexy.

  23. c.h_o_l_t (27 months ago | reply)

    I call my brother sun 'cos he shine like one!

  24. Gunnar Ries zwo (27 months ago | reply)

    awesome!

  25. TheFella (27 months ago | reply)

    Wow, this is amazing!

  26. bikermiker55 (27 months ago | reply)

    cooking on plasma!

  27. StargazerM42 (27 months ago | reply)

    humbling

  28. mick4711 (27 months ago | reply)

    Awesun!

  29. siik (27 months ago | reply)

    particular

  30. Harlan S (27 months ago | reply)

    This was a simply stunning visual. Things like this are manifest inspiration to explore the stars. Thank you very much NASA! Made my day. :-)

  31. NASA Goddard Photo and Video (27 months ago | reply)

    To see an image showing the size of the prominence in comparison to the size of earth click here.

  32. Justino1972 (27 months ago | reply)

    We get to see this and feel the awe. I wish that Carl Sagan could have seen this. I always think of that when these new space observations blow us away with their beauty and awesome scope.
    Lucky us...

  33. broadslider66 (27 months ago | reply)

    You Are a totally ignorant jerk who is clearly clueless on facts of what solar flares are or are caused by & the fact that they've been going on the sun's existence long b4 u idiot believers of global warming. Back in the 80's, erly 90's I assume u were part of the thoughless idiots who followed the global cooling mantra!

  34. ptmacpp (27 months ago | reply)

    Think how many plasma TVs that would make.

  35. ptmacpp (27 months ago | reply)

    Broadslider bringing the keyboard courage!!

  36. rrb710 (27 months ago | reply)

    Thanx. Beautiful.

  37. moneymikey80 (27 months ago | reply)

    Ummm wow and were do we stand if that comes like a solar flare to the earth hahaha we won't stand

  38. grigant (27 months ago | reply)

    Прыщ лопнул.

  39. Roger Hooton (27 months ago | reply)

    It was a JOKE. I thought that was CLEARLY OBVIOUS. Oh and I have NEVER been a believer in man made global climate changes. If you knew me you would know my views of the people who believe that hence my joke aimed at them. One of my favourite daily websites is Spaceweather.com.

  40. Gee Two (27 months ago | reply)

    That was awesome!

  41. FeelLin Good (27 months ago | reply)

    WoW....

  42. MTM15 (27 months ago | reply)

    Amazing . . . naturally occurring events beyond human eyes but could be captured these days with new technology!!! It also shows the immense potentials of energy.=)

  43. wolfstad (27 months ago | reply)

    WOW

  44. flicker screen2011 (27 months ago | reply)

    Blazing Flare

  45. Grei H (27 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic. All we need now is a marshmallow big enough.

  46. MSEC77 (27 months ago | reply)

    Simply beautiful!

  47. Avi79 (27 months ago | reply)

    Brilliant!

  48. Marvin NotD Martian (27 months ago | reply)

    wow

  49. Borek Lupomesky (26 months ago | reply)

    Exquisite.

  50. TK-trooper (26 months ago | reply)

    Whoa!

  51. smgordon1259 (26 months ago | reply)

    anyone notice the backdraft effect? towards the middle of the vid the flames are sucked back into the plume.

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