A Solar Prominence per Quadrant (Aug 22, 2008)

Hi-res TIF image (4.4M)

MPEG Movie: Large ( 12M), Small (7.0M)
Quicktime Movie: Large ( 31M), Small (4.4M)

A STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft observed several solar prominences rise and gyrate above the Sun over a two-day period (Aug. 15-16, 2008), with the largest one arcing a distance at least equal to 30 Earth diameters. They are spread out with one in each quadrant. Magnetic forces control solar prominences that rise above the Sun's surface. The prominences were seen in the 304 Angstroms wavelength of ultraviolet light. The material observed is actually ionized Helium at about 60,000 degrees. Prominences are relatively cool clouds of gas suspended above the Sun and controlled by magnetic forces. They can last from hours to months, but most usually remain for just a few days.

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.