Question

Which of the following are loops of matter flowing from the Sun? A) sunspots C) coronas B) auroras D) prominences

Short answer

D) prominences

Step-by-step solution

Define Coronal Loops

Coronal loops are structures on the Sun formed by powerful magnetic fields. They create arcs that appear on the surface of the Sun and can extend thousands of kilometers into the solar corona.

Analyze Sunspots

Sunspots are dark areas on the Sun's surface that appear because they are cooler than their surroundings. They are not loops but are associated with intense magnetic activity.

Review Coronas

The corona is the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere, which is made up of hot plasma. It is not a loop but a vast region surrounding the solar surface.

Explore Auroras

Auroras are natural light displays predominantly seen in polar regions. They occur due to interactions between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the Sun, not directly related to loops.

Investigate Prominences

Prominences are large, bright features extending outward from the Sun's surface, forming loops or arcs. They are composed of plasma and follow the magnetic field lines, making them loops of matter.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, prominences are the structures that form loops of matter flowing from the Sun.

Key concepts

Coronal Loops

Coronal loops are fascinating structures found on our Sun's surface. They are formed by intense magnetic fields that arch between sunspot areas. These loops appear as glowing arcs extending from the Sun's surface into the solar corona. They often reach incredible lengths, sometimes spanning thousands of kilometers.
Understanding coronal loops is important because they are closely linked to solar phenomena like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Scientists study these loops to learn more about the Sun's magnetic field and how it affects space weather, impacting satellites and electrical grids on Earth.

Sunspots

Sunspots may look like small dark freckles on the Sun's surface, but they play a significant role in solar activity. These spots appear darker because they are relatively cooler than their surrounding areas.
Sunspots are caused by intense magnetic activity, which disrupts the normal convection process, leading to cooler regions.

• Key features: dark appearance, cooler temperature
• Indicators of solar magnetic activity

Sunspots are closely monitored because they are often precursors to solar flares, which can have profound effects on Earth's communications and navigation systems.

Solar Corona

The solar corona is the Sun’s outermost atmosphere. This region is composed of plasma, an extremely hot gas of charged particles. Surprisingly, the corona is hotter than the surface of the Sun, with temperatures soaring up to millions of degrees Celsius.
Visible during a total solar eclipse, the corona appears as a glowing halo around the Sun. It is not a loop, but it envelops the Sun entirely, extending far out into space.

• Made of hot plasma
• Visible in eclipses as a halo

The corona is a critical area of study for scientists trying to understand solar winds and their impact on the solar system.

Solar Prominences

Solar prominences are large, bright features that emerge from the Sun’s surface. They form gigantic loops or arcs, often towering over the solar disk. These structures consist of glowing plasma held up by magnetic fields.
Prominences can last for days or even weeks, but they are known for their dynamic nature, often changing shape and position.

Characteristics of Solar Prominences:

• Bright, loop-like or arc-like structures
• Composed of plasma
• Durable but dynamic

These loops of matter are significant as they reveal information about the Sun’s magnetic field and can sometimes erupt, causing powerful solar storms.