See a Solar Flare in Glorious 4K Resolution

facebooktwitterreddit

It may look bright and calm from where we're standing on Earth, but the Sun is actually a big ball of chaos. NASA recently shared high definition footage (above) that shows a solar flare on an active region of the star. The 4K resolution video, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), uses different wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light and SDO's color-coding system to show details that the naked eye can't see.

NASA explains that solar flares are strong bursts of radiation that come from the release of magnetic energy. According to the caption on the space agency's YouTube video, the mid-level solar flare in the clip occurred on April 17, and in addition to looking cool on camera, it caused radio blackouts that were recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center. The 4K visuals of the flare are completely captivating, and proof that the real world is no match for CGI.

For more incredible shots captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory since its launch in 2010, head to NASA's official SDO website

[h/t Popular Mechanics]

Images via YouTube