An erupting filament imaged by the Earth-orbiting TRACE satellite on July 19. The filament measures over 100,000 kilometers in height, so that the entire Earth could easily fit into its outstretched arms. Gas in the filament is funneled by the complex and changing magnetic field of the Sun. After lifting off from the Sun's surface, most of the filamentary gas will eventually fall back. More powerful solar eruptions emit particles that reach the Earth and can disrupt manmade satellites.
Credits: TRACE , NASA , and Astronomy Picture Of the Day (APOD)
