Massive Explosion On The Sun Results In Dramatic Northern Lights (PICTURES) (VIDEO)

A massive filament of solar material has erupted on the Sun.

Dramatic pictures revealed by Nasa showed the long stand of material hovering in the Sun's atmosphere before 'exploding' and being flung towards Earth.

The material erupted on 31 August, but only reached Earth on Monday.

Nasa said the coronal mass ejection travelled at 900 miles per second, and connected with Earth's magnetic field with a 'glancing blow'.

Above: the solar explosion at different wave lengths

Giant swirls of green and red light were seen above the Arctic circle in a dramatic example of the Northern Lights:

Above: the CME captured over Whitehorse, Yukon

Take a look at other dramatic space pictures below.