On March 23, 2023, NASA released a video showing a giant churning tornado on the surface of the sun. This spectacular footage was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and gives us a rare glimpse into the dynamic and turbulent nature of our closest star.

The video shows a massive swirling mass of plasma on the surface of the sun, which is about 10 times the size of Earth. The tornado-like structure is caused by the sun's powerful magnetic field, which creates intense vortices of plasma that can extend thousands of kilometers into the solar atmosphere.

This type of structure is known as a prominence, which is a large, bright, and often unstable feature that can be seen on the edge of the sun's disk. Prominences are formed when magnetic fields on the sun's surface become twisted and tangled, causing plasma to be ejected into space.

The new video from NASA is particularly impressive because it shows the prominence in stunning detail, with clear images of the swirling mass of plasma and the intense magnetic fields that surround it. This type of observation is possible thanks to the advanced instruments on board the SDO, which can capture images of the sun in multiple wavelengths of light.

While prominences are a common feature on the sun, they can also be extremely dangerous. When a prominence becomes unstable, it can erupt into a massive explosion known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). These explosions can send massive clouds of charged particles hurtling towards Earth, which can disrupt communication systems, damage satellites, and even pose a risk to astronauts in space.

NASA and other space agencies around the world closely monitor the sun's activity in order to predict when these explosions might occur and to take steps to protect our technology and our astronauts. The SDO is a critical tool for this work, providing scientists with a detailed and up-close view of the sun's activity.

In addition to its scientific value, this new video from NASA is also a stunning reminder of the beauty and power of the universe. The sun is one of the most awe-inspiring objects in our sky, and it plays a critical role in the functioning of our solar system. By studying the sun and its activity, we can learn more about the forces that shape our world and help to protect ourselves from its most extreme effects.

In conclusion, the new video from NASA showing a giant churning tornado on the sun is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the power of modern science. This footage gives us a rare glimpse into the dynamic and complex nature of the sun, and it reminds us of the importance of continuing to explore and understand our universe. As we continue to study the sun and other celestial objects, we will undoubtedly discover new wonders and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and majesty of the cosmos.

Watch the video on youtube : Sun tornado capture