Video shows sun erupting in a stunning display of solar flares

We prefer to think of the sun as this benevolent, immutable object that provides light and warmth and not a burbling, giant ball of fire that occasionally shoots out plumes of superheated gas. This week, the sun is reminding us that it's more the latter than the former, with a spectacular show of solar eruptions. These "solar prominences" are massive loops of hot gases, which, if directed toward Earth, can harm satellites and astronauts. Luckily, these weren't — but they did provide tip-top conditions for impressive northern lights displays.

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