Active Regions Interact

STEREO (Behind) observed as two sizeable active regions sported arcing loops and magnetic interactions with each other (May 8-9, 2009). The regions were not sufficiently intense enough to be sunspots, but we have not even seen many active regions for many quiet months. The strong magnetic fields did spawn numerous dancing loops that reveal particles spinning along magnetic field lines above the Sun. These are viewed in extreme UV light at 171 Angstroms. One string of connections appears to link the magnetic fields of both the areas for some of the two-day period. With images taken every few minutes, the level of detail of what was a full disk image is very fine. When the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) launches later this year, it will provide images with twice the level of detail seen here. We cannot wait to see that!

• 1712ARs_zm_best1024.mov - (13.6 mb)   
• 1712ARs_zm_512.mov - (3.09 mb)   
• 171_ARs_zm512.mpg - (6.82 mb)   
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