THE SUN

Image 1: This composite image combines EIT images from three wavelengths (171Å, 195Å and 284Å) into one that reveals solar features unique to each wavelength. Since the EIT images come to us from the spacecraft in black and white, they are color coded for easy identification. (1998) Image Credit: NASA/ESA/Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) More Information: Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Image 2: Two "Sungrazing" comets are seen heading in tandem towards the Sun’s corona. They do not reappear on the other side. The comets follow similar but not identical orbits and enter the tenuous outer atmosphere of the Sun. Shortly after the comets disappeared behind the occulting disks of the coronagraph, a bright helical-shape prominence erupts from the Sun as part of a CME. The planet Mars can be seen in the upper right corner while the bright star Aldebaran can be seen in the lower right part. Image Credit: NASA/ESA/Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) More Information: SOHO ESA Site