Plasma rain, also known as coronal rain, is a fascinating phenomenon occurring on the sun. It is essentially plasma that expands up a magnetic loop extending from the sun's surface, subsequently cools and condenses, and then falls back down due to gravity (15-Apr-2019).
The Process of Plasma Rain
Here's a breakdown of how coronal rain forms:
- Plasma Ejection: Hot plasma is ejected from the sun's surface, traveling along magnetic loops.
- Expansion and Cooling: As the plasma travels up these loops, it expands and moves away from the sun's intense heat.
- Condensation: The cooling plasma begins to condense.
- Gravitational Pull: Once the plasma has cooled and condensed sufficiently, gravity pulls it back down along the magnetic loop.
Key Characteristics of Plasma Rain
- Composition: Primarily composed of plasma.
- Location: Occurs along magnetic loops extending from the sun's surface.
- Driving Force: Gravity is the primary force pulling the cooled plasma back down.
- Trigger: Cooling and condensation of the plasma.
