SOL
01- The Impactor
02- Main Sequence
03- Liquid Star
04- C.M.E.
05- Sun Drop
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

04 - C.M.E.

Solar Prominence, June 1946

( footage of this prominence appeared in the films 'Our Mr. Sun' and 'Sun Dog Man' )


 

Magnetic forces acting within the Sun cause loops of cooler plasma to extend outwards into the Sun's corona ( outer atmosphere ). These loops are called 'prominences'.

A coronal mass ejection (CME) is an ejection of material from the solar corona. The ejected material is a plasma, the core of which is composed of material from the 'prominence'. This material consists primarily of electrons and protons, but also contains small quantities of the heavier elements found in the Earth, such as oxygen, and iron.

When the ejection reaches the Earth as an ICME (Interplanetary CME) and connects with the Earth's magnetosphere, it creates trillions of watts of power which are directed back toward the Earth's upper atmosphere.

The mean distance of the Sun from the Earth is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (1 AU).

   
Alan Lambert © 2009