[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Third rock from the sun

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Third rock from the sun
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1177563898.shtml


   Around December 14, there was a [1]massive explosion on the sun*

     "Solar flares are essentially magnetic," Davis explains. In the
     maelstrom above a sunspot, lines of magnetic force are twisted and
     stretched until the tension reaches a certain pointâand then the
     whole thing explodes.

     A rubber band provides a good analogy. Take one from your desk,
     hold one end in each hand: stretch and twist. If you twist, twist
     and twist to extremes, the tormented band will eventually snap,
     painfully releasing all the energy you just put into it.

   When we're talking about the sun, that's a lot of energy..

   * Space news thanks to Bruce

References

   1. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/24apr_hubble4sun.htm?list803281