ANSWER:

They are observing the breaking loose on the surface of the Sun of coiled magnetic lines of force, part of a solar prominence. These coiled magnetic field lines sometimes go far from the Sun in the form of a "magnetic cloud."

See in our glossary: Magnetic cloud    Magnetic lines of force
                                  Prominences        Sun

BY THE WAY:

1. Why is the girl floating above the Sun and not standing on it like her brother?

A. She has more sense.
B. She doesn't want to ruin her new shoes.
C. He just got there first.
D. She's already been there and is now backing off and looking for a foot doctor.
E. She'd rather just float around and doesn't care about coiled magnetic lines in space.

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2. Is it possible to estimate what force it would take to keep her suspended above the Sun at the distance she appears to be located?

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Green Line
Site created: November 16, 1998 Last Modified: December 18, 2003

Curator: Albert E. Davison, International Technology and Management, Inc.
E-mail:Albert.E.Davison@gsfc.nasa.gov

Responsible NASA Representative: Dr. Ronald P. Lepping
E-mail: Ron.Lepping@gsfc.nasa.gov