During the recent total solar eclipse, many observers were intrigued by the sight of red objects at the bottom of the moon. Contrary to social media speculation, these were not solar flares but rather prominences, a common phenomenon during total solar eclipses. Prominences are pinkish-red loops of plasma that extend from the sun's surface into space, visible around the moon's limb during totality.
Given the heightened magnetic activity of the sun during its solar cycle, prominences were expected to be visible during the eclipse. The triangular loop shape observed was not unusual and had been seen during previous total solar eclipses as well.
