Astrophotographer Mark Johnston filmed a delicate thread of hydrogen plasma twisting above the sun on Oct. 20, 2025, at Willow Springs Lake, Arizona. He compressed 75 minutes of activity into a 6.5‑second looped timelapse that highlights a prominence suspended on magnetic fields. Using a TEC160FL refractor with hydrogen‑alpha etalons and an ASI174M camera, Johnston captured exceptional detail of subtle plasma motion. Observers are strongly warned to use certified solar filters when viewing the sun.
Astrophotographer Mark Johnston Captures Fiery Hydrogen Plasma Twisting Above the Sun in Mesmerizing Close‑Up Timelapse
Astrophotographer Mark Johnston filmed a delicate thread of hydrogen plasma twisting above the sun on Oct. 20, 2025, at Willow Springs Lake, Arizona. He compressed 75 minutes of activity into a 6.5‑second looped timelapse that highlights a prominence suspended on magnetic fields. Using a TEC160FL refractor with hydrogen‑alpha etalons and an ASI174M camera, Johnston captured exceptional detail of subtle plasma motion. Observers are strongly warned to use certified solar filters when viewing the sun.
01:56, 06.11.2025Science
Mesmerizing Close-Up of a Solar Prominence
Astrophotographer Mark Johnston recorded a striking close-up of the sun on Oct. 20, 2025, from Willow Springs Lake, Arizona, capturing a delicate thread of hydrogen plasma twisting and dancing above the solar limb. Johnston compressed about 75 minutes of real solar activity into a hypnotic 6.5‑second timelapse that has been looped to highlight the prominence's motion.
"The video shows a cloud of hydrogen plasma suspended above the sun's limb on magnetic fields," Johnston told Space.com. "I have a new upgrade on my solar etalon filter and when the seeing is good, I'm getting some fabulous results."
What you're seeing
This feature is a solar prominence — called a filament when seen against the solar disk — made of glowing plasma (ionized hydrogen and helium) that traces twisted magnetic field lines generated by the sun's internal dynamo. Prominences are anchored to the photosphere and extend into the corona. When the supporting magnetic structure destabilizes, a prominence can erupt and fling plasma into space. According to NASA, these structures can form in about a day and persist for days, weeks or even months, looping hundreds of thousands of miles into space.
How the image was made
Johnston used a high-resolution setup to capture the detail: a TEC160FL refractor with a Baader Energy Rejection Filter, a Baader 4ZS telecentric, a Solar Spectrum 0.3 Å hydrogen-alpha etalon, a Lunt hydrogen-alpha etalon and an ASI174M camera. This combination of optics and narrowband hydrogen-alpha filtering reveals fine thread-like structure and subtle plasma motions as they react to changing magnetic conditions.
Safety notice
Never look at the sun with the naked eye or through unfiltered optics. Viewing the sun without certified solar filters can cause immediate and permanent eye damage. Use properly rated solar filters and follow safety guidance when observing or photographing the sun.
Credit: Mark Johnston / Space.com