Scientists captured a rare and eerie astronomical phenomenon: a black shadow against the backdrop of the Sun.

We must warn you that watching this video can be frightening. A black translucent cloud appears against the backdrop of the solar disc. It takes on bizarre shapes, intertwines, and dissipates. It seems as if a mysterious ghost has emerged from the depths of the Sun, reminiscent of horror movies. The entire phenomenon lasted about three hours, and the video is sped up. So what is this? Science does not have a precise answer.

TRUE MYSTIQUE

"It's hard to shake off the mystical feeling," states the official (!) message from the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Astronomers explain that this refers to a cold prominence (eruption). The video clearly shows that a solar flare occurred first, followed by SOMETHING emerging directly from the flare.

Most likely, this eruption consists of neutral hydrogen. Neutral hydrogen absorbs visible light, essentially acting as a filter or "shutter." However, it cannot completely obscure the Sun since it is a gas. Therefore, it appears as black smoke against the shining disc.

Here’s another apocalyptic scenario: the Sun ejects clouds of such "black smoke," completely shrouding itself in this "soot." Could this happen? We do not know. Such prominences (eruptions) remain a complete mystery.

DISCOVERED IN ANCIENT RUSSIA

The first recorded observation of prominences was made by the Russian prince Igor Svyatoslavich, the hero of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign," during a solar eclipse on May 1, 1185. As the Sun began to dim, the prince closely monitored it, believing the celestial event to be a bad omen. The Moon fully covered the solar disc, and everyone noticed the "coals of embers" peeking out from behind the Moon's dark silhouette. These were the prominences. During eclipses, when they are seen not against the Sun but at its edge, they indeed resemble the color of burning coals in a stove.

This observation was recorded in chronicles, and science rediscovered prominences during the solar eclipse on July 18, 1860. Later, scientists understood that the mysterious "coal-like" glow consists of hydrogen and helium.

The Sun constantly ejects material, some of which falls back, while some escapes into space. Prominences (from the Latin "protubero," meaning "to boil") are one type of such eruptions and the most enigmatic. It remains unclear how exactly they form.

The Sun constantly ejects material, some of which falls back, while some escapes into space, and prominences are one type of such eruptions.

Photo: Shutterstock.

COLD GHOSTS

Since then, scientists have learned to observe prominences at all times, not just during eclipses, but the phenomenon has not become any clearer.

The largest prominence measured 800,000 kilometers in length, which, by the way, is the radius of the entire Sun.

Typically, the lifespan of a prominence is a few hours, but if it rises into the solar atmosphere, it can linger there for days or even months. The origin of the phenomenon lies in very strong magnetic anomalies on the surface of our star. The Sun's magnetic field is responsible for everything we call "flares" and "magnetic storms." However, our accurate knowledge ends there.

Prominences are generally cooler than the surrounding space. Yes, their temperature is several thousand degrees, but the Sun's atmosphere is heated to millions of degrees (which, by the way, presents a unique mystery), so prominences are always "cold."

However, there are instances of very cold prominences, and these are rare. We have just witnessed such a rarity. We found only a handful of articles dedicated to these natural phenomena. They are seldom observed and are hardly studied.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON EARTH

Astronomers say that the phenomenon does not pose a direct threat to us. The black ghost dissipated in the Sun's atmosphere, apparently heating up or simply dispersing. Therefore, there will be no magnetic storm, at least not directly from this "ghost."

However, there are solar flares and magnetic storms – another one seems to be expected this weekend. The Sun is currently at the peak of its activity, and it will remain so at least for the rest of this year.

On another note, the terrifying sight raises an interesting question. Chronicles record that the Sun appeared hazy, dim, and barely shining. This has always brought misfortune to people: bad weather, crop failures. This has occurred at least in the 6th and 17th centuries. It is often said that this is due to terrestrial volcanoes. But what if the Sun can eject such "smoke," not just a little cloud, but a lot and for an extended period?

Then the Sun would wrap itself in soot and ash. Scary! We have no idea if such a thing happens. But this unusual phenomenon provokes thought.