APOD 1.4- Equinox and the Iron Sun

the sun on the day of the equinox

plasma arcs on the sun

Every year on September 23rd 3:09 UT, the equinox occurs where the sun is right on the celestial equator, causing there to be 12 of hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Yesterday, the sun emitted highly ionized iron atoms as can be seen in the altered photograph above. Along with the emissions of iron atoms, luminescent arcs of highly charged plasma particles can be seen above the magnetic fields of the sun.