Dec 7, 2010 08:38 GMT  ·  By
SDO image showing the massive solar filament that appeared on the Sun on December 6
   SDO image showing the massive solar filament that appeared on the Sun on December 6

Experts operating the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) report the detection of an enormous plasma tendril on the Sun, which was caused by an incredibly powerful solar flare.

After the eruption began, a long filament of magnetic plasma began spreading across the surface of the star, covering a length equal to 435,000 miles (700,000 kilometers).

In astronomical terms, this distance is about twice as long as the one between Earth and the Moon. The tendril developed in the Sun's southeastern region, say reports on Spaceweather.

The SDO picked up images revealing the existence of the plasma flux yesterday morning, on December 6. The Observatory was launched on February 11, 2010, and is scheduled to observe the Sun for more than 5 years.

It has a suite of three instruments – the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA).

Using these tools, the SDO can keep an eye on the hidden variability of the star, which can only be noticed in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths, Space reports.

“The massive structure is an easy target for backyard telescopes (monitoring is encouraged) and it has the potential for an impressive eruption if it happens to collapse in the hours or days ahead,” a report on the website says.

Spaceweather recommends and supports the use of proper telescope filters or protective glasses for astronomical telescopes. The Sun should never be viewed without protection, or directly through a telescope.

The star's intense light can easily cause permanent eye damage, so amateur should always be careful to take the necessary protection measures before checking out plasma filaments or solar storms.

“So far the massive structure has hovered quietly above the stellar surface, but now it is showing signs of instability,” an update on Spaceweather says.

“Long filaments like this one have been known to collapse with explosive results when they hit the stellar surface below,” it goes on to add.

The SDO and other specialized Sun-observing spacecrafts, such as SOHO, will continue to monitor the activity of the Sun, which is becoming increasingly active lately.

This elevated level of activity should have started being recorded about two years ago, but the star was “lazy,” and remaining in the “minimum” phase of its cycle for more than usual.