Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The Sun would not be a nice place to spend the summer. One reason, besides the extreme heat, is that explosions are common there . In the above picture, magnetic fields buckle releasing previously constrained hot material from the upper atmosphere of the Sun . As a result, hot gas streams out into the Solar System , impacting planets , moons, spacecraft, and making space a dangerous place for astronauts .
CMEs are more common but less intense than solar flares .
Specific rights apply .