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Observations in the 171 AA channel of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly of thespace-borne Solar Dynamics Observatory show tornadoes-like features in theatmosphere of the Sun. These giant tornadoes appear as dark, elongated andapparently rotating structures in front of a brighter background. Thisphenomenon is thought to be produced by rotating magnetic field structures thatextend throughout the atmosphere. We characterize giant tornadoes through astatistical analysis of properties like spatial distribution, lifetimes, andsizes. A total number of 201 giant tornadoes are detected in a period of 25days, suggesting that on average about 30 events are present across the wholeSun at a time close to solar maximum. Most tornadoes appear in groups and seemto form the legs of prominences, thus serving as plasma sources/sinks.Additional Halpha observations with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope imply thatgiant tornadoes rotate as a structure although clearly exhibiting a thread-likestructure. We observe tornado groups that grow prior to the eruption of theconnected prominence. The rotation of the tornadoes may progressively twist themagnetic structure of the prominence until it becomes unstable and erupts.Finally, we investigate the potential relation of giant tornadoes to otherphenomena, which may also be produced by rotating magnetic field structures. Acomparison to cyclones, magnetic tornadoes and spicules implies that suchevents are more abundant and short-lived the smaller they are. This comparisonmight help to construct a power law for the effective atmospheric heatingcontribution as function of spatial scale.

Are giant tornadoes the legs of solar prominences?