Gigantic and Ghostly Plasma Loops Captured After Powerful Solar Flare
A recent solar flare has left scientists puzzled as eerie plasma loops appeared above the sun’s surface. These ghostly remnants of the solar storm have left researchers questioning how they take shape. The stunning photos taken after the powerful solar flare show these gigantic yet faint plasma loops hovering above the sun.
On January 29, a powerful M-class solar flare erupted from sunspot AR3559, disappearing behind the sun’s western limb. This flare, with a magnitude of 6.8, is the second highest class of solar flares, just behind X-class flares. Before solar flares occur, large loops of ionized gas, known as plasma, rise above the sun’s surface like giant horseshoes. These plasma loops, also called prominences, are held in place by the magnetic field lines of dark-colored sunspots. As the solar flares explode, the magnetic field lines snap like an elastic band, propelling the looped plasma into space as a coronal mass ejection (CME).
Although the recent solar explosion launched a CME that was expected to graze Earth’s magnetic field on February 1, it ended up missing our planet entirely. However, astrophotographer Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau managed to capture a breathtaking image of faint plasma loops towering above the solar surface right where the CME had erupted from. These post-flare loops (PFLs) are enigmatic since all the plasma from the area should have been ejected into space as the CME.
PFLs are typically observed after M-class and X-class flares and can reach heights of approximately 30,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) above the sun’s surface. These structures are known to be much fainter than prominences that appear before a solar flare due to containing smaller quantities of cooler plasma, emitting less light. Poupeau’s recent photo provides a rare and detailed glimpse into this phenomenon.
While researchers have frequently documented PFLs, there is still confusion surrounding their formation. Initially, scientists believed that the plasma comes from the solar surface and fills in the magnetic field lines after they recover from snapping. However, recent observations suggest that the magnetic loops may actually be pulling back some of the plasma ejected into space by solar flares.
The sun is currently approaching the explosive peak of its 11-year solar cycle, known as the solar maximum, which is expected to occur before the end of the year. Consequently, the frequency and intensity of solar flares are rapidly increasing. In December 2023, a massive X5 solar flare erupted from the sun, marking the most powerful solar explosion in six years. Additionally, on January 22, an extremely rare double solar flare occurred from opposite sides of the sun.
With the escalating solar activity, more PFLs are anticipated in the coming years, providing valuable insights into their formation. As scientists continue to study these ghostly plasma loops, they hope to unravel the mysteries surrounding their origin and behavior.
In conclusion, the recent sighting of gigantic and ghostly plasma loops above the sun’s surface has left scientists intrigued. These ethereal remnants, known as post-flare loops (PFLs), appeared after a powerful solar flare erupted from sunspot AR3559. While researchers have frequently observed PFLs, their formation remains a subject of debate. As the sun approaches its explosive peak in the solar cycle, more PFLs are expected to shed light on their enigmatic nature.
