Not that we're keeping score or anything, but it seems like every time we earthlings become diverted by other solar objects like Mars or Jupiter, our Sun reminds us it's the center of things by putting on some sort of show.

The video from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a spectacular filament eruption from the Sun that occurred on August 31. The segment in red, while only seconds in the video, actually covers a three-hour period. The rest of the video is shown in extreme ultraviolet light.

Solar filaments are caused when the magnetic field in the solar atmosphere holds solar plasma between the Sun's visible surface (or chromosphere) into the corona.

Despite the eruption of the massive filament, the NOAA spaceweather prediction center expected only a minor to moderate geomagnetic storm when the radiation cloud hit Earth.

Since the radiation cloud was expected to occur September 3 and we're all still here with cellphones and Wi-Fi in working order, it seems the filament's bark was worse than its bite.

Now we can sit back, relax and watch the spectacular show.

Via Wired