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Old Sunspot Returns

Aug. 7, 2017
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory observed a large sunspot (called AR2665) that rotated out of view about two weeks ago has returned on Aug. 1-2, 2017.

The large sunspot (called AR2665) that rotated out of view about two weeks ago has returned (Aug. 1-2, 2017). Though much reduced in size, it did blast a good-sized coronal mass ejection about a week ago on the far side of the sun (see the image and video PIA21866. It was showing off numerous magnetic loops and arches above it as it came into view. So we will be keeping an eye on this one for more solar activity. Sunspots can last from days to months, so for it to return again is not an unusual event.

Movies
PIA21873_OldSpotReturns171_big.mp4
PIA21873_OldSpotReturns171_sm.mp4

SDO is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Its Atmosphere Imaging Assembly was built by the Lockheed Martin Solar Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL), Palo Alto, California.

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