<p><strong></strong></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>The <a href="http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/sun-article.html">restless star at the center of our solar system</a> never fails to dazzle, as evidenced by this picture of solar plasma taken March 28 by the <a href="http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/">Solar Dynamics Observatory</a>. </strong></p><p>Guided by the sun's magnetic field, ropes of plasma escape from the star only to be dragged back or twisted&nbsp;around into whorls of light.</p><p dir="ltr">Scientists <a href="http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2013/solarmax/">predict 2013 will see a peak</a> in solar activity, and Earthlings got a preview this past weekend when the sun released a mass of plasma and charged particles on April 11. (Related: <a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/11/solar-storm-heading-towards-earth/">"Solar Storm Heading Toward Earth."</a>)</p><p dir="ltr">The coronal mass ejection <a href="http://www.spaceweather.com/">hit Earth's atmosphere on April 13</a>, but only resulted in some faint auroras. (<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/pictures/130326-best-aurora-pictures-2013-space/">See pictures of the best auroras of February and March.</a>)</p><p dir="ltr"><em>—Jane J. Lee</em></p>