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APOD
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
A Solar Prominence Erupts
Explanation: Our Sun is still very active. Last year, our Sun went though Solar Maximum , the time in its 11-year cycle where the most sunspots and explosive activities occur. Sunspots , the Solar Cycle , and solar prominences are all caused by the Sun's changing magnetic field . Pictured above is a solar prominence that erupted on May 15, throwing electrons and ions out into the Solar System . The image was taken in the ultraviolet light emitted by a specific type of ionized helium , a common element on the Sun . Particularly hot areas appear in white, while relatively cool areas appear in red. Our Sun should gradually quiet down until Solar Minimum occurs in 2007.
| Date | September 24, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Credit | Credit: SOHO - EIT Consortium , ESA , NASA |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP) |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |