Astrophotos: We Have Liftoff from the Sun!

Here are three images showing large prominences recently lifting off from the Sun's surface. Solar prominences are sheets or arcs of luminous gas emanating from the Sun's surface. They can loop hundreds of thousands of kilometers into space. In the image below by noted Australian amatuer Monty Leventhal, he estimates the prominence he captured stretches 233,000 km! Against the Sun, prominences appear dark, but against the sky they appear brighter. Prominences are held above the Sun's surface by strong magnetic fields and can sometimes last for long periods of time.

See more and varied views below:

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A negative image of the Sun and large prominences on March 31, 2013. Credit and copyright: César Cantú.[/caption]

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This digital filtergram shows an active prominence on the SE limb of the Sun, stretching across for approximately 233,000 km on March 27, 2013. Credit and copyright: Monty Leventhal.[/caption]

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