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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- A Filament Across the Sun
NASA ^
| August 20, 2012
| (see photo credit)
Posted on 08/20/2012 3:56:37 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Is that a cloud hovering over the Sun? Yes, but it is quite different than a cloud hovering over the Earth. The long light feature on the left of the above color-inverted image is actually a solar filament and is composed of mostly charged hydrogen gas held aloft by the Sun's looping magnetic field. By contrast, clouds over the Earth are usually much cooler, composed mostly of tiny water droplets, and are held aloft by upward air motions because they are weigh so little. The above filament was captured on the Sun about two weeks ago near the active solar region AR 1535 visible on the right with dark sunspots. Filaments typically last for a few days to a week, but a long filament like this might hover over the Sun's surface for a month or more. Some filaments trigger large Hyder flares if they suddenly collapse back onto the Sun.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; science; sunspots
1
posted on
08/20/2012 3:56:37 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...
Let me hear ya say, yeah. Monochrome solar surface image, wow.
2
posted on
08/20/2012 4:03:12 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: SunkenCiv
3
posted on
08/20/2012 4:03:20 PM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
To: SunkenCiv
4
posted on
08/20/2012 4:05:15 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
To: SunkenCiv
That is some strange, uh, stuff.....
To: SunkenCiv
And it all happened accidentally.
6
posted on
08/20/2012 4:21:40 PM PDT
by
Doulos1
(Bitter Clinger Forever!)
To: SunkenCiv
The description of what’s going on and the fact that they can photograph it really hurts my brain. Truly remarkable.
7
posted on
08/20/2012 4:25:23 PM PDT
by
freeagle
To: SunkenCiv
8
posted on
08/20/2012 4:26:14 PM PDT
by
a fool in paradise
(Only Obama put a dog on the roof of his mouth. Dogs are friends, not food.)
To: SunkenCiv
9
posted on
08/20/2012 4:34:55 PM PDT
by
brivette
To: Doulos1
"Beauty to see in so many ways..."
10
posted on
08/20/2012 4:54:17 PM PDT
by
dr_lew
To: SunkenCiv
Who’s the guy peeking out at the top of the sun?
11
posted on
08/20/2012 5:03:52 PM PDT
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")
To: SunkenCiv
By contrast, clouds over the Earth are usually much cooler Usually? USUALLY?!
How dumb are we as a people reading this?
12
posted on
08/20/2012 5:09:44 PM PDT
by
hattend
(Firearms and ammunition...the only growing industries under the Obama regime.)
To: hattend
How dumb are we as a people reading this?
BHO's mandated "outreach" program? Less than competent relative of a BHO campaign donor?
To: SunkenCiv
“Ve haf verm sign, Uzol!”
14
posted on
08/20/2012 5:24:52 PM PDT
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")
To: SunkenCiv
That is an amazing image.
15
posted on
08/20/2012 6:08:48 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(Worry is the Darkroom that Develops Negatives.)
To: blueunicorn6
Who’s the guy peeking out at the top of the sun?I don't see anybody!
16
posted on
08/20/2012 7:47:04 PM PDT
by
dr_lew
To: SunkenCiv
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