Like Licks of Flame A close-up, profile view of an active region in extreme ultraviolet light showcased several small spurts of plasma as they flickered out and retreated back into the Sun over about 13 hours (June 16, 2011). This wavelength captures ionized Helium at about 60,000 degrees not far above the Sun's surface. Flashes of small solar flares can be seen triggering most of these spurts. Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory.