Source: A Tornado on the Sun via NPR
The Sun is a very active star with a history of spewing radiation and atomic particles into space. In early February, NASA recorded a video of a tornado of plasma the size of Earth spinning around the Sun's magnetic fields. The tornado generated gusts up to 300,000 mph; to put that into perspective, our strongest tornadoes can only generate up to 300 mph gusts. Click to see video.
The Sun's weather will be a fascinating thing to observe and see change in. The Sun's weather has real world effects for the inhabitants on Earth, and I think it would be really cool if the general public paid more attention to the everyday phenomenons that occur on the surface of the Sun. More resources: Solar Dynamic Observatory's Pick of the Week.
this is really interesting. To think of a tornado, we already imagine winds that concor any regular earth wind. This is on a whole different level. Its crazy because its about 1000 times stronger then anything we know of. cool post.
ReplyDeletethis is really cool! but I was wondering, what causes a solar tornado? and do they last as long as tornados on earth? also, how far do they travel?
ReplyDeleteThe tornado was caused when plasma began spinning around the Sun's magnetic fields. This specific tornado lasted 30 hours, while tornados on Earth do not exceed 10 minutes. I don't think this tornado travels, as much as violently spins around the magnetic fields.
DeleteHow big are these tornadoes? What do they look like (just like normal tornadoes, except fiery)?
ReplyDeleteThis tornado was the size of Earth. I would say that your description works quite well.
Deletehow often do these pop up and if there that tremendous in size can they affect earth or its atmoshpere
ReplyDelete