Massive Plasma Phenomena Observed on the Sun

Astrophotographer Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau captured an image of a polar crown prominence (PCP), also known as a plasma waterfall, on March 9 using specialized camera equipment. The plasma wall rose 62,000 miles above the solar surface and traveled downwards at speeds of up to 22,370 mph. PCPs occur near the sun's magnetic poles and are of interest to solar physicists and nuclear physicists. PCPs could become more frequent and intense as the sun ramps up to a peak in its 11-year solar cycle known as the solar maximum.