What are the prominences?
Prominences are clouds of incandescent, ionized gas ejected from the Sun's surface. They are also some of the most dramatic phenomena in the solar system, the equivalent of thousand-mile-high storms that can rage for months. This time-lapse film shows active prominences of a few hours' duration.
What are prominences and sunspots?
Summary. Sunspots occur in pairs because each is one side of a loop of the Sun's magnetic field that reaches the Sun's surface. These spots are cooler and darker than the rest of the Sun's surface and they are marked by intense magnetic activity. Solar prominences are the plasma loops that connect two sunspots.
What are prominences and flares?
What is the difference between a prominence and a solar flare? A prominence is a loop of cool incandescent gas that extends above the photosphere. A solar flare is an explosive release of energy that comes from the sun and causes magnetic ditrubances.
What do prominences do to Earth?
Prominences are associated with the release of high energy particles, known as a solar flare. If a prominence breaks apart, it produces a coronal mass ejection. The solar flare aspect of a prominence has the most common effect on the earth.
Are prominences solar flares?
A solar flare thrusts solar magnetic energy into space. Looking at the two, what is the difference between a flare and a prominence? A prominence is anchored to the sun; the arch does not separate and go into space. A solar flare, though, will travel through space, since it is a release of energy.
How and why are prominences formed?
Prominences are shaped by the Sun's complex magnetic field, often forming loops with each end "anchored" to the Sun's surface (photosphere). Prominences are enormous, extending for many thousands of kilometers (miles). Prominences can last for several days – or up to several months!
How are prominences created?
Prominences are shaped by the Sun's complex magnetic field, often forming loops with each end "anchored" to the Sun's surface (photosphere). Prominences are enormous, extending for many thousands of kilometers (miles). Prominences can last for several days – or up to several months!
How is a prominence on the Sun formed?
Prominences are shaped by the Sun's complex magnetic field, often forming loops with each end "anchored" to the Sun's surface (photosphere). Prominences are enormous, extending for many thousands of kilometers (miles). Prominences can last for several days – or up to several months!
What does a prominence look like?
A prominence, sometimes referred to as a filament, is a large plasma and magnetic field structure extending outward from the Sun's surface, often in a loop shape. Prominences are anchored to the Sun's surface in the photosphere, and extend outwards into the solar corona.