Did a Piece of the Sun Just Break Off?

This solar phenomenon has scientists talking. On February 2nd, 2023, NASA instruments observed a piece of the Sun that may have broken off and got caught up in a polar vortex, causing a mesmerizing dance of plasma. But don't worry, the sun is perfectly fine! As planetarium educator Talia Sepersky explains, this strange behavior may actually hold the key to solving a long-standing mystery related to the sun's 11-year solar cycle. By observing this plasma piece, scientists hope to better understand the magnetic fields that drive the sun's activity and how they affect our planet.