PICK OF THE WEEK: Broad Prominence Eruption

[SOHO]

The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft was in position to get a profile view of this wide spreading prominence eruption (Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2010). The ends of the prominence were far enough apart that the spread of the eruption extended across about 30 degrees of the Sun. Prominences are unstable clouds of gases held above the Sun by powerful magnetic forces. Frequently, something disrupts them and the prominences break away. The eruption began and disappeared from view in less than six hours.



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[Ethereal Blue Being]

SOHO ,It would seem we were very lucky that it wasn't aimed directly at Earth. Has there been any speculation from NASA and other Heliophysicists on what would have happened if it would have been?