Astrophotographer Mark Johnston captured breathtaking footage of a massive solar prominence, a towering cloud of plasma seemingly stalking the edge of the sun. The striking videos, shared with Space.com, reveal the sun’s magnetic forces in action, offering an intimate look at solar dynamics rarely seen from Earth.
Capturing the Sun’s Fiery Giants
From his backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona, Johnston documented two remarkable solar prominences in late May 2026. Using a 160mm refractor equipped with a hydrogen-alpha solar filter, he filmed one prominence on May 22 releasing streams of material that cascaded back toward the sun as coronal rain, and another on May 31 that resembled a “Godzilla”-like figure towering above the solar surface. The footage provides a rare glimpse of plasma behavior as it twists and flows along the sun’s invisible magnetic scaffolding.
“The movement you see may look like wind effects, but it’s mostly caused by magnetic fields and, to a lesser extent, gravity. The hydrogen on the limb is ionized, so magnetic fields pull it along invisible field lines,” Johnston told Space.com in an email. His timelapses, spanning 90 minutes to two hours, reveal the intricate choreography of solar plasma, moving with a precision dictated by electromagnetic forces rather than mere thermal motion.
The Science Behind Solar Prominences
Solar prominences are immense structures of superheated plasma that extend outward from the sun while remaining tethered by magnetic fields. When seen against the dark expanse of space, these formations can appear as glowing arches, curtains, or towering clouds along the sun’s edge. On the sun’s bright face, they are known as filaments, appearing as dark ribbons due to their cooler, denser composition relative to surrounding material.
Johnston emphasized the deceptive appearance of these formations:
“It’s not flame. There’s no fire on the Sun. Just as your stove can glow red-hot and not be on fire, the hydrogen on the Sun is so hot it glows too.”
These plasma structures reveal the sun’s dynamic activity and help scientists understand how magnetic fields shape solar behavior, which can influence space weather on Earth.
A Daily Pursuit of Solar Beauty
Johnston’s dedication to solar photography is consistent and meticulous. “I try to image the Sun every clear morning, and I’m always looking for interesting features,” he told Space.com. This daily practice allows him to capture transient solar phenomena that often go unnoticed. Backyard astrophotographers like Johnston play a vital role in documenting solar activity, complementing observations from space-based telescopes.
The videos highlight the importance of specialized equipment and safety. Observing the sun without certified solar filters can cause permanent eye damage, a caution Johnston notes for amateur astronomers seeking similar observations. By capturing these ephemeral solar displays, Johnston provides both stunning imagery and a valuable resource for the study of our nearest star.
Observing the Sun Safely and Responsibly
While the footage dazzles, experts caution against attempting direct solar observation without proper gear. Hydrogen-alpha filters, like those used by Johnston, isolate specific wavelengths of light, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. This specialized approach unveils the sun’s magnetic artistry while safeguarding eyesight, turning dangerous observation into a revealing scientific exercise.
Johnston’s work underscores how passion and careful technique can illuminate the extraordinary activity on the solar surface. Each prominence, arching plasma stream, and fleeting coronal rain sequence captured in his timelapses offers a window into the immense forces shaping our star.
