From NASA:
When a rather large M 3.6 class flare occurred near the edge of the Sun on Feb. 24, 2011, it blew out a gorgeous, waving mass of erupting plasma that swirled and twisted for 90 minutes. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event in extreme ultraviolet light. Because SDO images are high definition, the team was able to zoom in on the flare and still see exquisite details. And using a cadence of a frame taken every 24 seconds, the sense of motion is, by all appearances, seamless.
The original video is 16sec long. This version is from Space.com, who added the loop and background music.
That was very cool. Great way to start Sunday morning.
What blows my mind is trying to comprehend the size of it. That flare could probably engulf 20 Earths.
Amazing, isn’t it?
I did some eye ball calculations with a ruler and protractor and it appears that it could engulf roughly 200 Earths (one sig-fig accuracy).
Yes but the mass is tiny compared to Earth.
I think it would be equivalent of a mega-super Oil tanker load when compressed.
It looks impressive but is less than a fog density.