NASA satellite Sees Dramatic Solar Flare Erupt

On April 16, 2012, a prominence shots off the left side of the sun in association with an M1 class flare that was not Earth-directed. NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) monitors the sun 24/7 and captured this amazing prominence. SDO observed a beautiful prominence eruption shot off the east limb (left side) of the Sun (April 16, 2012). Such eruptions are often associated with solar flares, and in this case an M1.7 class (medium-sized) flare did occur at the same time, though it was not aimed toward Earth. The movie (in extreme ultraviolet light) covers four hours of activity. As we have observed in some other events, some of the charged particles do not have enough force behind them to break away and they can be seen streaming back into the Sun. (More info: www.nasa.gov/sdo)