Categories: Other

Magnetic Sun: Art vs Science

The intriguing image above was uploaded to Fine Art America by an astrophotographer, Jason Guenzel, on January 16, 2021. The image is titled— “Magnetic Sun: A stylized rendition of a solar close-up.

According to the artist, “the image highlights the turbulent magnetic field on the visible surface of our star.” The picture was processed using software to enhance the solar chromosphere or gaseous layer above the sun.

Treading the line between art and science, the viral image allows the viewer to conceptualize the sun in new and intriguing ways. Once the overwhelming radiance of the star is drawn down, the resulting image challenges the preconceived notions we have of our closest star, instilling a new sense of wonder at the turbulent force that gives life to planet Earth.

This heavily software-processed image of the solar chromosphere reveals the complex nature of the magnetic field within our star.

Walking the thin line between science and art … perhaps blurring it a bit. #Astrophotography #space #solar #star #power pic.twitter.com/DaG3xjEiZd— Jason Guenzel (@TheVastReaches) January 13, 2021

Amy Eyrie

I'm a novelist and writer of strange and unusual subjects, from Quantum Physics to the dark ruminations of the soul. With a B.A. in creative writing/poetry and a minor in astrophysics, I’ve worked as a journalist, writer and editor in both the U.S. and Europe.