Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) have just observed a bright double-ringed coronal mass ejection (CME) billowing over the sun's western limb. At present
, the source of the blast is unknown Watch the movie and stay tuned for updates.


Over the weekend, sunspot 1043 emerged in the sun's northern hemisphere--and it continues to grow today. "It is taking on a nice shape in my Coronado PST (personal solar telescope)," reports amateur astronomer Jo Dahlmans. He sends this snapshot from his backyard observatory in Ulestraten, The Netherlands:

In Ocean Beach, California, astrophotographer Micheal Buxton recorded a half-hour movie of the new active region (1632-1701 UT on Jan. 31st). "I watched in amazement as plasma recoiled between the sunspot's dark magnetic cores," says Buxton. "Until the clouds rolled in, it was quite a show!"

Wow.. drop below > :O



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