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Movies from the Exhibit
(All movies are in QuickTime format, for which a player is available from Apple.)
  • Sunspots [2.74 mb]
    Sunspots are visible evidence of much larger magnetic activity and structures on the Sun. Extreme ultraviolet and X-ray images of the Sun (all taken the same day) reveal magnetic activity unseen in the visible spectrum.
  • The Dynamic Sun [3.58 mb]
    The rotating Sun seen in extreme ultraviolet light reveals active regions, magnetic loops and a blast across its surface.
  • Magnetic Loop [3.25 mb]
    Close-up clip of a fountain-like solar flare observed by the TRACE spacecraft.
  • Solar Wind and Giant Eruptions
    The Sun's corona (with the Sun blocked out) over a two-week observation shows the streaming solar wind and over 10 coronal mass ejections heading out into space.
  • Solar Flare Event [3.25 mb]
    A close-up sequence of two solar flares (seen as a bright flash) that blasts high-speed protons into space at almost the speed of light. They appear as snowy flecks almost immediately on the spacecraft's imaging device.
  • Solar Cycle [2.75 mb]
    A comparison of the rotating Sun in extreme ultraviolet light in 1996 and 1999 highlights how much more active the Sun is as it approaches its solar maximum in mid-2000.
  • Sun-grazing Comets
    1)[2.33 mb] A comet arcs into the Sun leaving a rocket-like trail behind it;
    2)[1.82 mb] Two comets head along similar paths towards the Sun and disappear.
  • CMEs Up Close
    A closer view of the corona reveals many coronal mass ejections blasting particles into space over a busy three day period. CMEs are the key drivers of space weather.
  • A CME Impacts Earth [4.93 mb]
    An overview of the basic elements of space weather: a CME explodes away from the Sun, travels across space, and impacts Earth's magnetosphere.
  • Magnetic Storm [2.01 mb]
    This computer animation, based on actual satellite observations, shows the changes in the Earth's magnetosphere during a coronal mass ejection from the Sun. Scientists use computer models to understand exactly how magnetic storms behave.
  • Spectacular Aurora [2.56 mb]
    Beautiful, swirling, and sweeping aurora, the only visible evidence of space weather.
  • Storm Impact Seen from Space [2.0 mb]
    From a vantage point in space, watch as the aurora disturbances spread down across the U.S. and intensify dramatically (near the end). Observers on the ground were treated to a beautiful auroral show of lights.
  • NASA's Eyes on Space Weather
    This animation shows many of the Sun-Earth Connection spacecraft in their orbits as they constantly monitor the Sun and its effects on Earth.
  • Space Weather Event [1.83 mb]
    This animation presents a few minutes of the March 1989 magnetic storm responsible for shutting down the electric power grid in Canada's Quebec Province.



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