Amazing video reveals explosive solar activity

Spectacular video showing a tadpole-shaped object bursting out of the Sun’s atmosphere has been creating a buzz in the stargazing community.

But there is a simple scientific explanation for the shadowy shape, says British astronomer Dr Heather Couper.

She explained the curious sight was caused by an explosion of charged particles – or what is known as a coronal mass ejection.

“What we are seeing in this video are big magnetic loops in the Sun’s atmosphere caused by sunspots,” she said.

“The magnetic loops are connecting, shorting out and producing a large explosion of charged particles.”

The event is believed to have been caused by a recent surge in solar activity. 

[Related story: UK scientists to help satellites dodge sun storms]

Dr Couper explained: “We see this activity in 11-year cycles.

“There is increasing activity in the Sun’s atmosphere and it will peak in 2013.”

Last week, the British Geological Survey said the Sun threw off the second largest solar flare seen in the current 11-year solar cycle.

Such powerful geomagnetic storms have the potential to knock out power grids and disrupt GPS systems.