Christmas Popping

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Full field movies: 512x512, 256x256 Subfield:512x512,256x256,JavaScript	Also from LASCO C2: 1024x1024 Movies: 512x512, 256x256	Also from LASCO C3: 1024x1024 Movies: 512x512, 256x256

Caption: As Christmas was closing in, solar physicists doing some "last minute observing" were able to focus on another spectacular event. Under the close scrutiny of 3 SOHO instruments (MDI, EIT and LASCO) as well as at least 4 ground based observatories (Helio Research of La Crescenta, California, Big Bear Solar Observatory, Kit Peak Vacuum Telescope, and Mauna Loa Solar Observatory), the prime target of the joint observation program erupted, causing great excitement among observers.

The first selection of a filament/prominence by Sara Martin of Helio Research turned out to be a great success. The target displayed many facets of filament behaviour yet to be fully understood, including the dynamics of an eruption into a large coronal mass ejection.

To understand the complex dynamic interplay of radiation, plasma, and the magnetic field, joint observations are crucial, with each instrument providing a different piece of the puzzle. Given the broad coverage of this event, it will certainly be the subject of close study in the future.

See also:

• Helio Research
• Movie page at Mauna Loa Solar Observatory
• Big Bear Solar Observatory
• Kitt Peak Vacuum Telescope

Instrument/observatories: Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO); Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT)
Picture credit: SOHO/EIT, SOHO/LASCO (ESA & NASA)