Solar Prominences, July 9, 2008. This photograph was taken with a hydrogen alpha scope that only shows one wavelength of light, at 656.3 nanometres. This is the particular wavelength of hydrogen alpha light. Observing the Sun in hydrogen alpha makes it possible to see structural details.

Large prominences of plasma lift off the surface of the Sun at tremendous speeds, and they are most easily seen along the edge with the darkness of space behind them. They can change their shape quickly, and I could observe the one on the right develop while watching through the eyepiece of the telescope. Prominences follow powerful magnetic fields generated by the Sun. Several Earths would fit inside the prominence loop on the right. This photograph was taken at 14:10 UT.

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