Eleven year comparison (December 28, 2007)

Hi-res TIF image (3.7M)

As we approach the end of another year of solar observing, it might be worth noting the record of SOHO's longevity. We can compare solar images from the same instrument taken the same day (December 27), but 11 years apart, about the length of the average solar cycle. Here we see the Sun in extreme ultraviolet light at 195 Angstroms. The Sun is fairly close to solar minimum (its lowest level of solar activity) for both of these dates, so one would expect each to show a similar level of activity. In fact, they do. We see perhaps one minor active region in each image. Like the Energizer Bunny, SOHO just keeps on going and going and...Happy New Year to all of our visitors.

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.