Two Decades Later, We Know Why the Sun Is a Lava Lamp

In 1999, astronomers discovered dark spikes in solar flares, leading to a mystery that took over two decades to solve. Initially thought to be caused by magnetic reconnection, these slow-moving plasma flows, known as Supra Arcade Downflows (SADs), puzzled scientists. Using data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, researchers found that these downflows occur at the boundary between low and high-density plasma, explained by fluid dynamics. This discovery not only resolves a long-standing question but also aids in understanding similar phenomena in supernovas, enhancing our grasp of space weather and cosmic events.

What unexpected discovery in 1999 puzzled astronomers for over two decades?

• Exoplanet with unusual orbit

• Dark spikes in solar flares

• Unidentified space debris

• New type of comet

What is the primary cause of solar flares?

• Gravitational pull of planets

• Magnetic field lines twisting and releasing energy

• Collisions with asteroids

• Changes in solar temperature

What was the initial hypothesis for the slow-moving plasma flows in solar flares?

• Cosmic ray impact

• Solar wind interference

• Magnetic reconnection

• Gravitational anomalies

What scientific concept helped explain the formation of dark spikes in solar flares?

• Electromagnetism

• Thermodynamics

• Fluid dynamics

• Quantum mechanics

How might understanding solar flare activity help us beyond our solar system?

• Predicting alien life

• Mapping black holes

• Understanding supernova remnants

• Detecting dark matter