C3-class Solar Flare Eruption

Just as sunspot 1105 was turning away from Earth on Sept. 8, the active region erupted, producing a C3-class solar flare (peak @ 2330 UT) and a fantastic prominence. This is a three color closeup of the activity taken by Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO). The accompanying coronal mass ejection (CME) was not directed toward any planets.

> View larger This is a snapshot of the prominence. Credit: NASA/SDO

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=18195427