Auntie Em! It’s a Twister! [hd video]

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On September 25, 2011, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this eruption on the sun's surface that looks much like the tornadoes that appear on Earth. This tornado, however, swirled a thousand times faster, with whirling gases reaching speeds of over 186,000 miles an hour -- compared to tornadoes on Earth that are closer to 100 miles per hour. This movie is a composite of four wavelengths of light: 171 Angstroms, 193, Angstroms, 211 Angstroms, and 304 Angstroms.

Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA/NCAR

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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

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