An Erupting Solar Prominence from SOHO
A solar prominance is a cloud of solar gas held above the Sun's surface by the Sun's magnetic field; the field is ever-changing, thus these eruptions are created. This picture was taken by the SOHO spacecraft (NASA) in July 2002. The picture was taken in UV light that is radiated by the Sun's ionized helium. High heats are shown in white while the cooler areas are shown in red. Much of this activity will calm once the Solar minimum is reached (an 11 year cycle of activity on the Sun's surface).
