Magnificent CME Erupts on the Sun - August 31 [video]

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On August 31, 2012 a long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupted out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of Monday, September 3.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO

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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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Beginner*s Mind ~ Game Over !!! ;-), and 46 other people added this video to their favorites.

  1. Derek_Custer 10 months ago | reply

    Fantastic vid.

  2. JAARTWRK 10 months ago | reply

    really real?? it's amazing

  3. mmeic 10 months ago | reply

    just beautiful.

  4. tsteele93 4 months ago | reply

    Out of curiousity, what would have happened if this DID travel directly towards Earth?

  5. jianoulp 4 weeks ago | reply

    i'm a rookie,how can i download this video

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