<p><strong>This psychedelic image of the <a href="http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/sun-article/">sun</a> from <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>'s <a href="http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/">Solar Dynamics Observatory</a> is actually two pictures combined, both taken on July 12. It's also one of National Geographic News's favorite recent space images. </strong></p><p>By superimposing an extreme-ultraviolet image of arcing solar material on a "magnetogram" showing magnetic fields, scientists created a complex picture of an active region just before it unleashed a powerful solar flare.</p><p>According to NASA, such composite images help scientists better understand the origins and causes of the flares.</p><p>(See <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120516-superflares-sun-stars-planets-hot-jupiters-nasa-space-science/">"Hundreds of Superflares Seen on Sunlike Stars."</a>)</p><p><em>—Kastalia Medrano</em></p>