Astronomy Practice Exam

What are reddish loops of gas on the Sun called?

1. Coronal Mass Ejections

2. Sunspots

3. Prominences

4. Solar Flares

The correct answer is: Prominences

Reddish loops of gas on the Sun are known as prominences. These structures occur in the solar atmosphere and are composed of plasma, which is ionized gas that emits light. Prominences typically form in regions of intense magnetic activity and can extend thousands of kilometers above the solar surface. They are often observed along the edge of the Sun during a solar eclipse, appearing as bright, glowing arcs against the backdrop of space. Prominences can last from days to weeks and sometimes even months. Their reddish appearance is primarily due to the emission of hydrogen alpha light, which is part of the spectrum produced when hydrogen atoms in the gas recombine with electrons. This characteristic coloration helps distinguish them from other solar phenomena. Coronal mass ejections, sunspots, and solar flares do not share the same structure or characteristics as prominences. Coronal mass ejections involve large bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. Sunspots are temporary phenomena that appear as dark regions on the Sun's surface due to lower temperatures in those areas, while solar flares are sudden eruptions of energy and radiation that occur in localized areas rather than forming the looped structures seen with prominences. Thus, prominences specifically