Sunny SpikesA close-up view of the sun's north pole at ultraviolet wavelengths reveals that the solar orb is covered in spicules, relatively small jets of plasma that constantly pop up on the star's surface.Released today by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory team, the picture offers one of the most detailed looks yet at these common solar features. At any given time, about 60,000 to 70,000 spicules appear on the sun, according to NASA. On average, the jets reach 1,800 to 6,200 miles (3,000 to 10,000 kilometers) above the sun's surface, but a few may spike 10 to 20 times higher.
Image courtesy NASA

Space Photos This Week: Sun Spikes, Odd Magnetar, More

The sun gets prickly, planets are ground to dust, Saturn shines darkly, and more in our selection of the week's best space pictures.

August 26, 2010