Earth-Sized Plasma Structures Erupt from the Sun in New Solar Activity Surge

A giant prominence formed on the Sun and then broke away, according to a report from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientists recorded the formation and eruption of the prominence during the night of November 20.

They explained that prominences consist of dense, relatively cool matter rising above the Sun’s surface. Researchers described this event as a “king-prominence” that reached almost one million kilometers in length, making it eighty times larger than Earth.

Scientists Struggle to Identify the Exact Cause of the Eruption

Russian experts said they could not determine the precise reason the massive plasma structure separated from the Sun. However, specialists at the institute noted that the source of the phenomenon lies on the far side of the Sun, hidden from direct observation.

They also reminded readers that a large plasma cloud erupted from nearly the same region several days earlier, right where the prominence’s right “leg” anchored to the surface. The researchers suggested that both the previous eruption and the prominence’s detachment may share a common source deep within the Sun.

Recent Solar Activity Already Triggered Strong Auroras on Earth

On November 13, experts at the institute reported that the most powerful solar flare of the year produced intense polar auroras. The event caused significant geomagnetic disturbances on Earth, signaling a period of heightened solar activity.