Sunspot Sojourn (July 10, 2009)

Hi-res TIF image (2.9M)

Quicktime Movie: Large ( 48M), Medium ( 20M), Small (1.9M)
MPEG Movie: Large (6.5M).

SOHO observed as a solitary but substantial sunspot group rotated across our view (July 5 -- 8, 2009). As seen in the 195 Ångstrom wavelength of extreme UV light, particles spinning along the spot's magnetic field lines were gyrating and twisting the entire time. This sunspot group is probably the largest to appear in about 2 years. Its magnetic orientation identifies it as belonging to the new sunspot cycle. Perhaps it will be the harbinger of greater solar activity to come.

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.