photosphere
Giant Star Seen 150 Days Before it Exploded as a Supernova
Supernovae are relatively rare. It might not seem like it, but that's because they're so bright we can see them…
Betelgeuse. Before, During and After the Great Dimming
When a prominent star in the night sky suddenly dims, it generates a lot of interest. That's what happened with…
What are the Parts of the Sun?
Much like Earth, the Sun is not a single object, but is made up of layer. Each layer is responsible…
How Does The Sun Produce Energy?
Have you ever wondered how the Sun produces energy to keep us warm here on Earth?
IRIS Glimpses an Elusive Region of the Sun
An innovative solar observatory is adding a key piece to the puzzle of the enigma that is our Sun. Its…
A Branching “Tree” of Solar Plasma
Hydrogen-alpha photo of the Sun by Alan Friedman An enormous tree-shaped prominence spreads its "branches" tens of thousands of miles…
A Shimmering, Simmering Sunspot
This quick animation made by astrophotographer Alan Friedman shows a 30-minute view of sunspot 1520, a large region of magnetic…
The “Deep Blue Sea” of the Sun
Looking like an intricate pen-and-ink illustration, the complex and beautiful structures of the Sun's surface come to life in yet…