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Scientists have gained new insights into how eruptions occur on the sun.
Through computer simulation, they have identified a universal process that explains eruptions of every size.
We can watch the process in 5 steps.
Step 1: Energization - Energy builds and a filament starts to form.
Step 2: Slow rise - The yellow lines of the filament twist, build up energy, and slowly rise.
Step 3a: Current sheet forms - A bright structure shows the current sheet - the region where the magnetic field's polarity is reversing.
Step 3b - After merging at the current sheet, the magnetic field lines recede from each other.
Step 4: Explosion - The magnetic twist and energy are ejected as the filament breaks through. The jet sprays out into the solar system.
Step 5: Relaxation - The stored energy is now exhausted and the region becomes quiet.
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