What Does the Sun Look Like Today?

The following images are updated on a daily basis when the instruments that produce them are functioning.


White Light

June 9, 2009 20:55

The familiar white light view of the sun today. Since our eyes are too sensitive to look directly at the sun without damaging them, here is a safe view. Below are views of the Sun, otherwise invisible to us.

Courtesy of the Evans Solar Facilty, National Solar Observatory, Sacramento Peak

Soft X-rays


HeI 1083.0 nm

June 25, 2009 21:38

Calcium II K


White-Light Coronameter

July 2, 2009 20:06

Fe XII at 19.5 nm

July 4, 2009 6:48

He II at 30.4 nm

July 4, 2009 1:19

FeIX/X at 17.1 nm

July 4, 2009 7:00

Photospheric Magnetogram


Hydrogen Alpha

Image Credit: Click on each image for detailed information and credit.
The source of this material is Windows to the Universe, at http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). © The Regents of the University of Michigan. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of UCAR. All Rights Reserved. Site policies and disclaimer