Solar Features - Prominences and Filaments

Description

Prominences and filaments are two manifestations of the same phenomenon. Both prominences and filaments are features formed above the chromosphere by cool dense gases held in place by solar magnetic fields. Filaments are observed on the solar disk as dark structures as seen against the hotter chromosphere whereas prominences on the limb appear bright against the perspective of outer space. The scale sizes for prominences and filaments are typically many thousands kilometers. Solar observers typically view prominences and filaments in Hydrogen alpha (656.3 nm). Filaments are sometimes referred to as floccule (plural of flocculus). Prominences and filaments can rapidly form over a period of a day but then typically persist for several weeks and, in some cases, several months. At breakup the gases within these previously stable structures may be explosively released into space in the form of a coronal mass ejection (CME). Space weather operators have and continue to monitor the location and character of prominences and filaments as potential precursors on near-earth geomagnetic activity. (Browse image provided courtesy of http://www.greatdreams.com)

Resources

Name Format Description Link
0 These data are available at the NGDC/STP website ("https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/spaceweather.html") https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/space-weather/solar-data/solar-features/prominences-filaments/
0 The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords
0 The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords

Tags

  • international council for science - world data system
  • space
  • nesdis
  • icsu-wds
  • solar observatory stations
  • solar telescope
  • noaa - space weather program
  • national geophysical data center
  • noaa
  • sun-earth interactions
  • solar region
  • u.s. department of commerce
  • doc/noaa/nesdis/ngdc
  • solar activity
  • doc/noaa/nesdis/ncei
  • solar active regions
  • chromosphere
  • solar imagery
  • national centers for environmental information

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