APOD: 2023 August 1 Б Monster Solar Prominence
Explanation:
The monsters that live on the Sun are not like us.
They are larger than the
Earth
and made of gas hotter than in any
teapot.
They have no eyes, but at times,
many tentacles.
They
float.
Usually, they slowly change shape and just
fade back onto the Sun over about a month.
Sometimes, though, they
suddenly explode and
unleashбenergetic particles
into the Solar System that can attack the Earth.б
Pictured is a
huge solar prominence imaged almost two
weeks ago in the
light of hydrogen.
Captured by a small telescope in
Gilbert,
Arizona,
USA, the
monsteresque
plume of gas was held aloft by the ever-present but
ever-changing magnetic field near the surface of the Sun.
Our active Sun continues to show an
unusuallyбhigh numberбof
prominences,
filaments,
sunspots, and
large active regionsбas
solar maximum approaches in 2025.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
