Active Region in Profile (May 29, 2009)

Hi-res TIF image (1.3M)

MPEG Movie: Large ( 11M)
Quicktime Movie: Large ( 17M), Medium (1.1M)

We watched and waited as an active region, shown here in extreme UV light, rotated to the edge of the Sun as seen by STEREO Behind (May 18-19, 2009). Near the edge the coils of magnetic loops that rose above this active region were easily defined against the darker backdrop. The graceful arcs shift and change as the magnetic forces tug and pull at them. What one is actually seeing are particles spinning along the magnetic field lines and revealing the intense magnetism of active regions.

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.