Swirling Eruptive Filament (November 7, 2008)

Hi-res TIF image (2.3M)

MPEG Movie: Large (2.2M)
Quicktime Movie: Large (9.7M), Small (1.3M)

The STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft observed a large and swirling filament as it erupted and broke away from the Sun over about a seven-hour period (Nov. 2, 2008). As seen in this wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, filaments appear slightly darker since they are somewhat cooler clouds of gases suspended above the sun by magnetic forces. Some mechanism triggered a reaction by the filament that caused it to break free from its magnetic restraints. In this instance it appeared to swirl above and head around the edge of the sun, though it is difficult to tell the direction for certain. Although the sun is still near its lowest level of activity, it still can produce some interesting phenomenon.

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.