Giant plume of plasma shoots from the sun — VIDEO
A giant plume of plasma shot out from the surface of the sun, spraying streams of particles into the atmosphere before breaking into pieces over the course of two days in August.
The sun is composed of plasma, the state of matter outside gases, liquids and solids. Its behavior is comparable to a gas, but is affected by magnetic fields and can conduct electricity, according to NASA.
Scientific observers say the “solar prominence” resembles the shape of France’s Eiffel Tower. According to The Weather Channel, gaseous ejections like these can extend hundreds of thousands of miles from the sun’s surface, but plumes like this aren’t captured often.
“Other lesser plumes and streams of particles can be seen dancing above the solar surface as well,” Solar Dynamics Observatory reports. “The action was observed in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light.”
Check out the video above.
Contact Ashley Casper at acasper@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @TheCasperA