Having a Solar Blast
› View larger
Coronal Mass Ejection as viewed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 7, 2011. Credit: NASA/SDO Coronal Mass Ejection as viewed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 7, 2011. Credit: NASA/SDO
› Download video
› Download full disk version
Video from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in 304 Angstrom of the June 7, 2011 M-2 Flare and CME. Credit: NASA/SDO Video from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in 304 Angstrom of the June 7, 2011 M-2 Flare and CME. Credit: NASA/SDO
› Download video
Zoom-in SDO composite (211, 193 and 171 wavelengths) video of this event with a GOES-15 satellite graph at the top, showing corresponding x-ray measurements of the event. Credit: NASA/SDO/GOES Zoom-in SDO composite (211, 193 and 171 wavelengths) video of this event with a GOES-15 satellite graph at the top, showing corresponding x-ray measurements of the event. Credit: NASA/SDO/GOES
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Karen C. Fox/Tony Phillips/Holly Zell
The Sun unleashed an M-2 (medium-sized) solar flare, an S1-class (minor) radiation storm and a spectacular coronal mass ejection (CME) on June 7, 2011 from sunspot complex 1226-1227. The large cloud of particles mushroomed up and fell back down looking as if it covered an area of almost half the solar surface.The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed the flare's peak at 1:41a.m. ET (0641 UT). SDO recorded these images (above) in extreme ultraviolet light that show a very large eruption of cool gas. It is somewhat unique because at many places in the eruption there seems to be even cooler material -- at temperatures less than 80,000 K.All of the solar Heliophysics System Observatory missions captured the event.When viewed in Solar and Heliospheric Observatory's (SOHO) coronagraphs (top right), the event shows bright plasma and high-energy particles roaring from the Sun.Also to the right are links to the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) Ahead and Behind coronograph videos showing the CME expansion as viewed from each side of the sun. The STEREO Ahead satellite precedes the Earth as it circles the Sun. The STEREO Behind satellite follows behind the Earth in it's orbit of the Sun. (NOTE: Both STEREO videos will be replaced by better quality version when they become available in 48 hours.)This not-squarely Earth-directed CME is moving at 1400 km/s according to NASA models. The CME should deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of June 8th or June 9th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the CME arrives.For answers to these and other space weather questions, please visit thepage.
Imágenes captadas por las cámaras del Observatorio Solar Dinámico, el 7 de junio de 2011 pasado (Foto:NASA)


Las cámaras de la Agencia Espacial Estadounidense, NASA, capturaron una impresionante explosión solar, sin embargo los científicos aseguraron que no tendrá un impacto significativo en la Tierra.

La erupción solar llegó a su nivel máximo, creando una nube que fue capturada por las cámaras del Observatorio Solar Dinámico, un satélite en órbita de la NASA.

La energía solar despedida por la erupción repercutirá en el campo magnético terrestre durante las últimas horas del 8 o 9 de junio, lo que se observará como auroras, indican los expertos de la agencia espacial.

El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional de Estados Unidos pronosticó efectos menores sobre los satélites e impactos débiles sobre algunas redes de electricidad, informa Associated Press.

;Mapas satelitales

La NASA también obtuvo los primeros mapas satelitales que muestran la fluorescencia emitida por la flora terrestre, que darán a los científicos una herramienta más precisa e inmediata para evaluar la salud de la vegetación del planeta.

La fluorescencia clorofílica es una luminosidad rojiza muy difícil de detectar, que emiten las hojas de las plantas como subproducto de la fotosíntesis, el proceso bioquímico utilizado por las plantas para convertir la luz solar en alimento.

La NASA sostiene que los nuevos métodos de obtención de imágenes revelarán directamente si las plantas sufren de estrés ambiental antes de decolorarse o morir.