The Sun Twists Again (April 11, 2008)

Hi-res TIF image (2.3M)

MPEG Movie: Large (6.4M)
Quicktime Movie: Large ( 27M), Medium (7.4M)

A close-up of the Sun from the STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft showing a pair of active regions (that appear as brighter regions) with some interesting activity over a two-day period (April 5-6, 2008). Two surges of material burst out from the region to the left, and the second surge appears to break away from its magnetic bindings. Not long after, particles from one area along the Sun's edge rise up and, following unseen magnetic field lines, connect with another area before material above each area spirals alone. None of these events caused any solar storming.

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.