Our Sun is a maelstrom of light and heat, a constant battlefield for plasma and magnetic fields. This recent prominence, captured by Andrea Vanoni and others, bore a striking triangular shape. This fiery outburst — larger than our entire planet — formed and broke up over the course of a single day. The wavy solar surface features in the lower part of the image are solar fibrils, magnetically confined tubes of hot plasma. What changing magnetic fields might allow them to burst forth in a glorious candle of their own? (Image credit: A. Vanoni; via APOD)
A Triangular Prominence
