Solar Tornado ( UPSC Prelims)

News Context

Solar tornadoes consist of ionized gas, known as plasma, which is stabilized by magnetic fields and are technically referred to as tornado prominences. These phenomena can ascend to heights of 130,000 kilometers and spin at velocities reaching 200,000 kilometers per hour. They are characterized by their extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to approximately 250,000 °C, and are typically visible at the sun's poles. At any given time, up to 11,000 of these tornadoes can be swirling above the sun's surface.