The science behind NASA’s ‘smiling’ sun picture explained

It was a good day for the sun, so good that it was captured smiling.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared an image taken from its satellite that showed black splotches on the sun’s surfaces that appeared as a big smile.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured the sun at its prime. The image shows what appears to be two black spots and a curved line which prompted many to compare it with a grin.

The SDO is an agency whose mission is to investigate the science behind solar activity and its impact on space weather. Launched on 11 February 2010, the observatory’s spacecraft is tasked to measure the sun’s interior, atmosphere, magnetic field and energy output.

Many Twitter users equated the latest image with Halloween’s jack-o’-lantern as well.

NASA released the image on 26 October saying, “Today, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the sun ‘smiling.’ Seen in ultraviolet light, these dark patches on the sun are known as coronal holes and are regions where fast solar wind gushes out into space.”

Say cheese!