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Credit & Copyright: Big Bear Observatory,
Caltech
Explanation:
One of the most spectacular solar sights is
a prominence. A solar prominence
is a cloud of solar gas
held above the Sun's surface by the
Sun's magnetic field. The Earth
would easily fit under one of the loops of the prominence shown
in the above picture. A quiescent prominence
typically lasts about a month, and may erupt in a
Coronal Mass Ejection
(CME)
expelling hot gas into the
Solar System.
Although thought by many to be related to the magnetic field,
the energy mechanism behind
a Solar prominence is still unknown.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day