space porn, astronomy, hinode, magnetic field, solar flare, solar fountain, space...

Magnetic Structures Larger Than the Sun

We've long seen the results of solar flares on Earth, but haven't been able to predict when they'll strike next. New research released last week has given us a better understanding of solar weather. The massive, looping jets of superheated gas that erupt from the sun are driven by giant magnetic structures that extend out beyond the sun itself.

Using the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph mounted on the Hinode spacecraft, astronomers pinpointed the pressure fluctuations in the immense magnetic fields that send the gases spewing out into the sun's corona. In a press release, Dr. Michelle Murray of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London had this to say:

When a new section of magnetic field pushes through the solar surface it generates a continual cycle of fountains, but new magnetic fields are constantly emerging across the whole of the solar surface and so our results can explain a whole multitude of fountains that have been observed with Hinode.

Understanding solar weather patterns will be vital when more humans are living in space, since that will give us a shot at predicting the solar flares and fountains that give off dangerous amounts of radiation.Photo by Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory.

New Views On The Sun's Startling Magnetic Fountains. [Science Daily]

11:40 AM on Tue Apr 8 2008
By Ed Grabianowski
1,540 views
9 comments

Comments

Shiryu at 11:56 AM on 04/08/08
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Another fine quality wallpaper for my PC, methinks. :)
Metropolis at 12:42 PM on 04/08/08
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Everytime I see pics like this I want to run home and watch Sunshine. That movie continues to blow my fragile, little mind.
TobiasReach at 01:08 PM on 04/08/08
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Am I the only one that looks at this and the first thing I see is an exploding battlestar?
Belabras at 01:47 PM on 04/08/08
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Care to link us to the photo gallery? I love me some space pics ;)
Ed Grabianowski at 07:36 PM on 04/08/08
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Connectedness Index: 55

@Belabras: Ask and you shall receive: [trace.lmsal.com]
noncornbatant at 10:06 PM on 04/08/08
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I put in my vote for more and more of these "science non-fiction" stories!
Annalee Newitz at 12:32 AM on 04/09/08
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Connectedness Index: 344

@noncornbatant: Ed is the master of space porn.
Belabras at 07:06 AM on 04/09/08
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@Ed Grabianowski: Thank you sir!
dOk at 07:17 AM on 04/09/08
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@Annalee Newitz

Space Porn.... The Final Frontier....

Didn't the Shat say that? XD