Seeing the Difference

With its C2 coronagraph instrument, NASA's satellite SOHO captured a blossoming coronal mass ejection (CME) as it roared into space from the right side of the Sun (Dec. 28, 2013). SOHO also produces running difference images and movies of the Sun's corona in which the difference between one image and the next (taken about 10 minutes apart) is highlighted.

This technique strongly emphasizes the changes that occurred. Here we have taken a single white light frame and shift it back and forth with a running difference image taken at the same time to illustrate the effect.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/SOHO

NASA image use policy.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

Follow us on Twitter