images

The Sun seen by STEREO (31/12/2008)

by

Nasa/Novapix

Reference

a-sol02-20037

Date

2009-06-29

STEREO observed four prominences that rose up and danced above the sun's surface for most a 2-day period (Dec. 30-31, 2008), each in its own quadrant. The show ended with a bang as New Year's Eve approached when the largest of the four erupted and was spun away into space. Prominences are clouds of cooler gases that are suspended above the Sun by magnetic forces, lasting from hours to days. This STEREO instrument observes the Sun in extreme UV wavelength of light of material at about 60,000 degrees C.