NASA | Massive Solar Eruption Close-up

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On June 7, 2011 the Sun unleashed an M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare with a spectacular coronal mass ejection (CME). The large cloud of particles mushroomed up and fell back down looking as if it covered an area almost half the solar surface.

SDO observed the flare's peak at 1:41 AM ET. SDO recorded these images in extreme ultraviolet light that show a very large eruption of cool gas. It is somewhat unique because at many places in the eruption there seems to be even cooler material -- at temperatures less than 80,000 K.

This video uses the full-resolution 4096 x 4096 pixel images at a 1 minute time cadence and to provide the highest quality, finest detail version possible. It also shows the event in multiple wavelengths.


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[Rhondalove]

Awesome to think that some of the mass expelled from the sun comes down Earth's poles, spreads into our atmosphere; we breathe it in and it becomes part of us.

I think I will go out side and welcome a few Sun particles to the humble abode of my body. I can just hear them sighing now - Ah- finally a cool spot!

[NASAGoddard]

@BRANSCOMBEx The next solar maximum is currently predicted for late 2013 or 2014. Solar maximum is usually associated with a higher rate of coronal mass ejections, which can indeed cause electrical disruptions to an unprotected power grid. But satellites such as ACE give advance warning of CMEs, and utility companies can then power down the grids to protect them.

[nameofthepen]

Make SURE you have the CC button on when you watch. Fantastic!

[Anonymoose]

Absolutely incredible! An amazing flare in itself, but top it with a view of it such as we've never had before.

[TrigonJilad]

@Neton16 Simply stunning! The contrast on the shock wave is particularly striking in the 171A bandpass.

[ThisFlat]

This is awesome. I just love stuff that has to do with space. Thanks for posting.

[AMikeOnLine]

Fascinating stuff. It appears that a lot of the energy is sucked back into the sun. I have read many books on how the sun works but none have anywhere near come close to satisfy my mind. The sun is a great wonder that will kill us all in the end.Great video.

[letsbeone]

And from there we derive. Incredible seeders of life.

[Zander]

I think the resolution is just amazing!

[gregoryvn]

Spectacular, and a little frightening!

[Atoyota]

This was the super flare of mid June. The surface area affected by the eruption was immense and very interesting to see, but the amount of plasma sent on a trajectory into space escaping the Sun's gravity was also huge (nearly as big as a planet or moon). It missed us entirely... but if it didn't? well...

[DJbertjor]

@BRANSCOMBEx Actually, scientists are amazed of the fact that the Sun will seeming go into an unusually passive mode for the next several years

[lex]

i like how they show you the wavelength

[ChrmePistoa]

maybe if you showed the replay in a few more colors i'd be able to understand whats going on here

[ginodelia]

@advantage73 THE POWER THAT GIVE LIFES .

[silverspirit]

@scduk100 That is either sarcasm or showing complete idiocy.

PS its neutrinos. Near massless particles going at near light speed....SO arrived just after 6 minutes from the coronal mass ejection. Except coronal mass ejections are not associated with CRMs.

[ScarpelliNegociosInmobiliarios]

PENSÉ QUE LUEGO DE CARL SAGAN NADA ME ATRAPARÍA TANTO NI ME SORPRENDERÍA COMO EN AQUELLAS NOCHES DE VERANO EN LA DÉCADA DE LOS 80´ . QUE EN PAZ DESCANSE Y DISFRUTE ALLÍ A DONDE PERTENECE. EN SU COSMOS.

[branscombe_]

PLEASE tell us more about the upcoming SOLAR MAXIMUM in 2012... Will world wide power be disrupted??

[conscott]

real cool! how often does this occur on the sun?

[rabindrapalai]

Sure more hints found from our Nature.