During a recent solar eclipse, people noticed bright red dots on the edges of the moon's shadow, leaving people extremely curious about its origin and meanings.
Scientists have now explained why these dots appeared, solving the mystery behind them.
Many skywatchers were captivated by the uncommon celestial occurrence that took place earlier this week (8 April) across Mexico, North America, and Canada.
While observing the eclipse, some lucky individuals noticed red dots along the edges of the moon's shadow.
Scientists have now provided an explanation for the bright red dots observed during the solar eclipse.
The mystery behind bright red dots that emerged during the solar eclipse has been solved
These dots, called prominences, are massive loops of plasma that are much bigger than Earth.
They can persist for many months and are easily recognized by their striking red hue. The red color is a result of hydrogen emitting light at exceptionally high temperatures.
Prominences exhibit diversity in their size and shape, with certain ones extending over substantial sections of the solar periphery.
While they are distinct from solar flares, they tend to occur more often during the Sun's solar maximum phase.
NASA explains that the prominence plasma flows along a complex network of magnetic fields generated by the Sun's internal dynamo.
When the structure holding the prominences becomes unstable, they can erupt, leading to the plasma bursting outward.
These eruptions are responsible for the appearance of the bright red dots observed during the eclipse. These dots are composed of plasma, which is a mixture of electrically charged hydrogen and helium.
These dots are composed of plasma, which is a mixture of electrically charged hydrogen and helium. The charged particles in the plasma emit light, resulting in the vibrant red color that catches our attention.
The solar eclipse on April 8th fascinated many people in Mexico, North America, and Canada.
This rare event happens when the Moon blocks the Sun, creating a shadow on Earth. Some individuals traveled to specific areas along the eclipse's path to get the best view.
Sadly, despite the warnings, some people ignored the advice and looked directly at the Sun during the eclipse.
This led to a sudden increase in eye injuries right after the event.
