The Massive Explosion of Sun

Entering the year 2013, which is expected to be the peak of solar activity in the 11-year cycle, the star is spewing a huge explosion. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said, burst of the plasma wave with scorching temperatures it so far, even beyond a distance of 20 times the Earth's diameter.

This image shows the Earth to scale with a colossal solar filament eruption from the sun on Aug. 31, 2012 as seen by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft. Note: the Earth is not this close to the sun, this image is for scale purposes only. (Picture from: http://www.space.com/)

The solar explosion occurred just as the New Year's Eve on December 31, 2012. Afterglow was caught on camera by Solar Dynamics Observatory, the NASA's spacecraft specifically assigned to oversee the Sun was able to record the devastating eruption.

The NASA's Solar 
 Dynamic Observatory.

Glowing of the plasma wave reaches 257,495 kilometers distance from the surface of the Sun. Although included in the category of huge explosion, that was not the effects of the strongest solar storm ever recorded by NASA. The effect on the Earth are not considered dangerous.

The New Year's Eve sun eruption
 of Dec. 31, 2012. (Picture from:
  http://www.space.com/)

"Without enough power, the plasma waves will not be able to resist the force of gravity the sun," said NASA officials wrote in a statement on Monday, January 7, 2013. At this time the sun is entering an active phase in the 11 yearly cycle.

But NASA scientists say that the highlight of the current cycle, known as Solar Cycle 24, which may be the lowest compared to the previous few cycles over the last century.

Eruptions and solar storms can have a significant impact if it reaches the Earth. Powerful solar storms can disrupt satellite communications, pose safety risks to astronauts on orbit, and cause damage to electrical systems and infrastructure on the planet's surface.

"Small-scale solar storms can also trigger a geo-magnetic storm on Earth and stunning aurora displays at the top of the pole," said NASA scientist. *** [SPACE.COM | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 4108]

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