Solar spicule
Imagine that the sun is like a giant balloon filled with hot gas. Sometimes, this gas shoots out of the sun's surface in little spurts, like bubbles rising to the top of a glass of soda.
These spurts of gas are called solar spicules. They can shoot out of the sun's surface up to 10,000 miles high and last for just a few minutes. Solar spicules are made mostly of hydrogen, which is the most common element in the universe.
Scientists are interested in solar spicules because they can help us understand how the sun's magnetic field and energy are distributed. Solar spicules may also play a role in creating the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that flows away from the sun and affects the Earth's atmosphere.
So, think of solar spicules like little balloons of hot gas that shoot out of the sun and help scientists understand more about the sun's behavior.
These spurts of gas are called solar spicules. They can shoot out of the sun's surface up to 10,000 miles high and last for just a few minutes. Solar spicules are made mostly of hydrogen, which is the most common element in the universe.
Scientists are interested in solar spicules because they can help us understand how the sun's magnetic field and energy are distributed. Solar spicules may also play a role in creating the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that flows away from the sun and affects the Earth's atmosphere.
So, think of solar spicules like little balloons of hot gas that shoot out of the sun and help scientists understand more about the sun's behavior.