Tornadoes on the Sun
Explanation:
Giant spinning clouds of gas, similar to
Earth's tornadoes, have been found on the Sun.
Solar tornadoes,
however, can be larger than the entire Earth, and
sustain wind gusts over 1000 times stronger than their
Earth counterparts. The
SOHO spacecraft has found that
solar tornadoes start low in the
Sun's atmosphere and spiral outwards,
gathering speed as they enter the Solar System.
Earthlings have more to fear from Earth's own
weather phenomena, though,
because the high speed particles that result from
solar tornadoes are easily stopped by the
Earth's thick atmosphere.
Earthlings may have much to learn from solar tornadoes,
including details of how the
solar wind and corona are powered,
and how to better predict future
solar particle storms
that could damage sensitive satellites.
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.
