End of Summer Fireworks (August 31, 2012) Hi-res TIF (2.9M) The
Sun blasted out at least 16 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in
eight days (Aug. 20-27, 2012) as observed by a coronagraph on
the STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft. These came from several active
regions on the Sun. The cascading clouds of particles are
visually impressive and impressive in scope: the average CME
carries about a billion tons of particles into space at over one
million miles per hour. This pace is another signal that the Sun
is approaching its maximum period of activity. The video clip
consists of over 900 frames: a cadence of an image every 15
minutes. Note: this view is from 2/3 of the way around the Sun's
right limb, as seen from Earth, because of Ahead's current
position. SOHO began its Weekly Pick some time after sending a
weekly image or video clip to the American Museum of Natural
History (Rose Center) in New York City. There, the SOHO Weekly
Pick is displayed with some annotations on a large plasma
display. If your institution would