They photograph a ‘plasma waterfall’ on the Sun that could engulf up to eight times the Earth

2023-04-15 18:34:38

Although it may not look like it from Earth, the surface of the Sun is a very eventful place. Like all stars, ours is made up of gases charged with energy that generate powerful magnetic fields. Due to the movement of these gases, these fields are twisted, generating a great activity on the surface. An activity that sometimes translates into ‘monstrous’ eruptions that can pose a great danger to Earth.

The image of a 100,000 kilometer high ‘plasma waterfall’ rising from the surface of the sun has become popular on networks. The flash, scientifically called the polar corona prominence, was photographed by astronomer Eduardo Schaberger Poupeauresident in Argentina, and on March 10 he shared it with the entire community on his Instagram account.

This kind of solar flares are nothing more than large masses of gas extending above the surface of the sun. They occur near the poles, where the plasma tends to be cooler and less turbulent. Sometimes areas of strong magnetism can accumulate, increasing the density of the plasma and changing its brightness. If this strong magnetic field collides with anotherthe material is released outwards creating a ‘plasma waterfall’.

The explosion photographed by Pompeau, which lasted seven minutes, rose around 100,000 kilometers on the sun’s surface before being swept downward by the star’s magnetic reach. To get an idea of ​​the size of the prominence, it would be capable of swallowing up to eight times the Earth if it were in its path.

danger to earth

In rare cases, the magnetic forces can become so strong that the hot plasma shoots out of the sun into space, in what is known as a coronal mass ejection. Experts warn that if one of these plasma columns were to hit Earth, it would knock out electronic equipment across the planet.

The latter occurred as early as 1859 when worldwide telegraph systems failed catastrophically and the aurora boreal in broad daylight at latitudes very close to the equator. Some operators at that time reported receiving electric shocks from their equipment and telegraph paper catching fire.

The ejection of plasma photographed by Poupeau also had its consequences on Earth. Occurring between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on March 3, it was so powerful that it left radio out of service shortwave, both FM and AM, in North and South America for a few minutes.