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APOD: 2024 September 2 Á A Triangular Prominence Hovers Over the Sun
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Credit & Copyright: Andrea Vanoni
Explanation:
Why is there a triangle hovering over the Sun?
Although the shape is unusual, the type of structure is not:
it is part of an evolving
solar prominence.
Looping magnetic fields on the
Sun channel the flow of
energetic particles, sometimes holding glowing gaseous structures aloft for months.
A prominence
glows brightly because it contains particularly hot, dense, or opaque solar
plasma.
The
surprising triangular structure occurred last week.
Larger than our Earth, the
iconic prominence
was imaged by several solar photographers and
documented by NASA's
Solar Dynamic Observatory
to form and violently dissipate in about a day.
The
featured image was captured in a color of
red light
emitted strongly by
hydrogen.
Below,
solar fibrils carpet the
Sun's chromosphere,
while the background sky is so faint
in comparison that no stars are visible.
Our Sun's surface has been
quite active this year.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Sun - prominence
Publications with words: Sun - prominence
See also:
- APOD: 2024 August 18 Á A Solar Prominence Eruption from SDO
- APOD: 2024 August 4 Á Gaia: Here Comes the Sun
- APOD: 2024 July 28 Á Sun Dance
- Prominences and Filaments on the Active Sun
- APOD: 2024 May 28 Á Solar X Flare as Famous Active Region Returns
- APOD: 2024 May 26 Á A Solar Filament Erupts
- APOD: 2024 February 19 Á Looking Sideways from the Parker Solar Probe