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Turbulent StarA close-up of the sun from 1999 shows how solar plasma is constantly in motion, giving the star a textured appearance.As the sun's magnetic field lines get tangled, they create clusters of stronger magnetic activity that push around the sun's surface plasma. These so-called active regions are seen as bright spots in the extreme ultraviolet image above.A large solar prominence—a cloud of plasma suspended by the sun's magnetic forces—is seen erupting at upper right.
Image courtesy SOHO/ESA/NASA

Solar Activity and Space Weather Pictures

View pictures of solar activity and space weather.