Cool Video from STEREO Satellites.

[junglelord]

The twin STEREO spacecraft, now almost 120 degrees apart, captured this large and dramatic prominence eruption over a 30-hour period (Sept. 26-27, 2009). Prominences, called filaments when they are viewed against the surface of the Sun, are clouds of cooler gas suspended above the Sun's surface by magnetic fields. This is one of the first times that a prominence has been sufficiently large that both spacecraft have been able to observe it for hours on end. From the "Behind" perspective (on left) the long filament, darker than the Sun's surface, can be seen rising up and then breaking away, spreading out above most of the Sun's surface. As seen from the "Ahead" spacecraft (right), the filament is seen in profile and so is called a prominence. This is one of the most spectacular events that the STEREO mission has observed.

Scientists are interested in observing the profile view (as seen by the "Ahead" spacecraft), as it confirms the model that prominences move from high solar latitudes toward to the Sun's equator. The prominence observed follows the path of the solar magnetic field, which changes form during the 11-year solar cycle. The shape of this prominence is characteristic of the solar minimum which is the quietest solar minimum in a century.

http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/ite ... d=1&id=106

[Tina]

Quote NASA:

Although somehow related to the Sun's changing magnetic field, the energy mechanism that creates and sustains a Solar prominence is still a topic of research.

What has EU got to say in terms of the "mechanism" which is responsible for Solar Prominence?

[nick c]

hi Tina,

What has EU got to say in terms of the "mechanism" which is responsible for Solar Prominence?

As an interested student of the Electric Star theory, to answer such a question I would consult the works of the proponents (fully or partially) of that theory, such as Juergens, Bruce, Alfven, Thornhill, Scott, etc.
Scott, following Alfven and Juergens, has stated that prominences are plasma filaments that follow the magnetic (omega shaped) loops. So we are not directly seeing the magnetic omega loop, but are looking at the plasma filament which is directed along its' path by the (invisible) magnetic loop. The magnetic loops are created by electric currents flowing on or just beneath the Sun's surface.
Scott, The Electric Sky, pp109-111:

Prominences are plasma features that may reach high into the corona, often as graceful loops that may hang suspended for many days.
[...]
Sometimes a magnetic field on the surface of the Sun forms an "omega" shaped loop. This loop extends out through the double sheath layer (DL) of the chromosphere.
One of the characteristics of Birkeland currents is that they generally follow the direction of a magnetic field. We cannot see magnetic fields, but we often do see material that has been collected by the z-pinch effect of currents that are following a magnetic field. That material radiates energy - it is plasma in either the glow or arc mode of operation. Thus, in figure 19, we are seeing the glowing plasma concentrated into filaments by currents that follow those loops.

The electric currents on or beneath the Sun's surface that create these magnetic loops have already been discovered:
Scott, quoting a Stanford University announcement:

"Scientists using the joint European Space Agency (ESA/NASA) Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft have discovered 'jet streams' or 'rivers' of hot, electrically charged gas (plasma) flowing beneath the surface of the Sun..."

Of course, "jet streams" and "rivers" are euphemisms for electric currents, and electric currents are the cause of magnetic fields.

nick c