Our Dynamic Sun

Though the Sun is a constant in our lives, it is not tranquil. From deep within our star, titanic energies rise to cause the surface to violently erupt. Hot tubes of plasma (called magnetic loops) arc thousands of miles above the Sun, following invisible lines of magnetic force.

This extreme ultraviolet image of our Sun reveals unsurpassed details of a complex solar surface and corona. (Courtesy NASA/TRACE).

More images: For more images from the TRACE spacecraft, go to the TRACE homepage. Here you'll find the latest images as well as movies.