A large sunspot observed on Sept 2, 2013 showing umbral flashes and spikes. The radially extending thin dark filaments seen against the light orange background are inflows of plasma into the sunspot. The small streaks of various length visible inside the sunspot against the dark orange background are the umbral spikes, which are oscillating jets driven by sunspot oscillations.
Groundbreaking images of the Sun captured by scientists at NJIT’s Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) give a first-ever detailed view of the interior structure of umbrae – the dark patches in the center of sunspots – revealing dynamic magnetic fields responsible for the plumes of plasma that emerge as bright dots interrupting their darkness.
