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.

How did the researchers explain the formation of dark spikes in solar flares?

What implications does the understanding of solar flares have for space weather and other astronomical phenomena?