Solar Orbiter spacecraft spotted a giant coronal mass ejection on the Sun
The Solar Orbiter probe recorded the birth and evolution of a giant coronal mass (CME) ejection on the Sun.
The CME became the largest such phenomenon observed in the same field of view along with the solar disk.
The release was not directed to Earth and does not threaten our planet in any way.
Prominences are the most noticeable manifestations of solar activity in the corona of the star.
These are rather large plasma formations that begin in the chromosphere and are characterized by increased density and lower temperature compared to the environment.
Such structures can take various forms and exist for quite a long time (up to a month) in a quiescent state or in an active state and transform into a coronal plasma ejection.
On February 15, 2022, a huge eruptive prominence appeared on the Sun, which turned into a coronal mass ejection, which was not directed towards the Earth.
Its evolution was traced in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range using the FSI (Full Sun Imager) instrument, which is part of the EUI instrument of the European Solar Orbiter probe.
It is noteworthy that this prominence turned out to be the largest of those that were ever recorded in the same field of view along with the solar disk.
In addition to the Solar Orbiter, several other spacecraft also observed this emission.
They were SOHO and Parker, tracking the Sun, as well as the BepiColombo station flying towards Mercury.
The latter recorded a significant increase in the number of electrons, protons and heavy ions near it.
This allows you to learn more about the mechanisms of solar activity.
Source:
ESA: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Giant_solar_eruption_seen_by_Solar_Orbiter
Space.com: https://www.space.com/solar-orbiter-huge-solar-eruption-february-2022