Halloween Solar Jack-O-Lantern Image Revealed by NASA

NASA Shares Stunning "Solar Jack-o'-Lantern" Image

In October 2014, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured an image of the Sun that has been causing quite a stir on social media. The image, shared on NASA's Instagram account, features a face-like pattern constructed out of black spots against the Sun's fiery features, and has been described by NASA as the Sun "grinning."

The image combines two collections of severe ultraviolet wavelengths at 171 and 193 Angstroms, typically colourized in gold and yellow. These energetic areas are markers of an intense and complex set of electromagnetic fields in the Sun's environment, the corona. The dark patches on the Sun in the image are known as coronal holes, areas where solar wind gushes out into space.

The active areas in the image appear brighter because they send out more light and power. Some Instagram users were left astonished by the image, while others pointed out that it creates a Halloween-like look. Comments ranged from "prohibited jack o' lantern," to "That's so stunning therefore cool at the same time," and "The universe is gorgeous." The image has gathered over 9 lakh likes on Instagram.

The SDO measures the Sun's inside, atmosphere, electromagnetic field, and energy output, helping us understand our local star. Since 2010, the SDO has been maintaining an unblinking eye on the Sun, recording phenomena like solar flares and coronal holes. The photo of the so-called "Solar Jack-o'-Lantern" was colourized in ultraviolet light, highlighting the intricate details of the Sun's environment.

Although the image has not been credited to a specific photographer or artist in the provided text, it is important to note that the responsible organization for this image is NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory program. NASA shared the image on Instagram, describing it as a solar jack-o'-lantern, and it has since garnered attention for its unique and captivating depiction of our Sun.