The narrowband hydrogen-alpha filter used to take this image of the Sun enables us to peer into the chromosphere, the lower region of the solar atmosphere. The image is presented in a false colour palette, chosen both for its aesthetics and to highlight some of the features that show the dynamic and unpredictable nature of stars.

Flame-like prominences, made of huge arcs of plasma, can be seen erupting out from the chromosphere. They extend for thousands of miles and can last for months at a time.

When prominences are seen against the bright disc of the Sun they appear as dark snaking lines known as filaments. They sometimes have a bushy appearance and can be tracked across the face of the Sun as it rotates.

Sunspots are often found in groups and are planet sized regions characterised by an inky dark core, known as the umbra, and a lighter outer section, known as the penumbra. They are caused by disturbances in the Sun's magnetic field and appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding area.

Close to sunspots you can often find plages. These are areas of higher temperature that can be found in active regions and are also associated with magnetic field activity.