SOLAR CORONA

499 light-seconds

The turbulent atmosphere of the Sun is revealed when we look outside the visible part of the spectrum. Extreme ultraviolet light is given off by atoms heated to incredible temperatures – between one and two million degrees – and are given artificial colour to help us see the huge active areas spouting energy driven by the Sun's magnetic fields.

Credit: Image made in ultraviolet light by the SOHO/EIT Consortium of NASA and ESA.