This animation shows a chromospheric wave, also known as a Moreton wave or solar tsunami, as seen by MLSO's CHIP instrument (which images the Sun's chromosphere in the Helium line). Waves like these affect the structure of the chromosphere and may contribute to the heating of both the chromosphere and higher lying regions. They have characteristic speeds of around 1000 kilometers per second. This particular wave was initiated by an X6.5 flare.
