Amazing Video of Our Sun

Last February, NASA launched the Solar Dynamics Observatory space telescope, which they say will become as important to the study of the Sun as Hubble was to distant stars. 1.5 terrabytes per day are now being delivered to NASA, and the images are fantastic.

Here's a solar prominence that erupted on March 30:

(Link [Flickr])

The sun’s internal dynamics were the subject of intense interest over the last few years as the normal waxing and waning of solar activity did not follow past cycles as closely as anticipated. The solar minimum of 2008 stretched deep into 2009, raising questions about how well we understand the complex internal dynamics that drive sun spots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

Because solar storms can disrupt human technologies, it’s important to know when we might expect a serious event that could shut down the electrical grid, for example.

Link to Wired Science Article