Space: The Solar System
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Abstract on NASA's SDO Sees Massive Filament Erupt on Sun Original source 

NASA's SDO Sees Massive Filament Erupt on Sun

Introduction

The sun is a dynamic and ever-changing celestial body that has fascinated humans for centuries. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a spacecraft that has been observing the sun since 2010, providing scientists with valuable data on the sun's behavior. In September 2012, the SDO captured a massive filament eruption on the sun, which was a spectacular event that has been studied by scientists ever since.

What is a Filament?

Before we dive into the details of the eruption, it's important to understand what a filament is. Filaments are long, thin structures that are found on the sun's surface, also known as the photosphere. They are made up of cooler plasma that is suspended above the sun's surface by magnetic fields. Filaments can be several hundred thousand kilometers long and can last for weeks or even months.

The Eruption

On September 1, 2012, the SDO captured a massive filament eruption on the sun. The eruption was so large that it was visible from Earth with the naked eye. The filament was over 700,000 kilometers long and contained over 10 billion tons of plasma. When the eruption occurred, the filament was torn apart by magnetic forces, and the plasma was released into space.

The Impact

The massive filament eruption had several impacts on the sun and the surrounding space. The eruption caused a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields that are ejected from the sun's corona. The CME traveled through space and reached Earth two days later, causing a geomagnetic storm. The storm caused auroras to be visible in several parts of the world and disrupted communication and navigation systems.

Studying the Eruption

The SDO's observations of the massive filament eruption have provided scientists with valuable data on the sun's behavior. By studying the eruption, scientists have been able to learn more about the sun's magnetic fields and how they interact with plasma. The data collected by the SDO has also helped scientists to better understand the processes that lead to CMEs and geomagnetic storms.

Conclusion

The massive filament eruption that was observed by NASA's SDO in September 2012 was a spectacular event that has provided scientists with valuable data on the sun's behavior. The eruption caused a coronal mass ejection that reached Earth two days later, causing a geomagnetic storm. By studying the eruption, scientists have been able to learn more about the sun's magnetic fields and how they interact with plasma. The SDO's observations of the sun will continue to provide valuable data for scientists for years to come.

FAQs

What is the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)?

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a spacecraft that has been observing the sun since 2010. It provides scientists with valuable data on the sun's behavior.

What is a filament?

A filament is a long, thin structure that is found on the sun's surface. It is made up of cooler plasma that is suspended above the sun's surface by magnetic fields.

What is a coronal mass ejection (CME)?

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields that are ejected from the sun's corona.

What is a geomagnetic storm?

A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field that is caused by a CME. It can cause auroras to be visible in several parts of the world and disrupt communication and navigation systems.

How do scientists study the sun?

Scientists study the sun using a variety of instruments, including telescopes and spacecraft like the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). They use the data collected by these instruments to better understand the sun's behavior and processes.

 


This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

Most frequent words in this abstract:
filament (4), sun (4), sdo (3)