A Solar Prominence Erupts . ... Credit Copyright: SOHO - EIT Consortium , ESA , NASA Explanation: Our Sun is still very active. Last year, our Sun went though Solar Maximum , the time in its 11-year cycle where the most sunspots and explosive activities occur. Sunspots , the Solar Cycle , and solar prominences are all caused by the Sun's changing magnetic field . ... Particularly hot areas appear in white, while relatively cool areas appear in red. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...