This is a picture of sunspot 4374 converted to a 3D object by showing dark areas lower than bright areas. Sunspots are lower than the solar surface as described by the Wilson effect.
Click here to open the 3D viewer and then drag the mouse to spin it around and spin mouse wheel to zoom. Looks best in full screen mode.
This was the featured image on Spaceweather.com on 21.2.2026. Click here to read their technical description of what you are seeing.
I was just setting up on AR4373 when this jet flew over. The funny thing is that the contrail is nearly transparent. All the others I have captured are like black smoke trails. (the fuzzy shadow is a tree branch – Sun is still pretty low at 57N)
UPDATE: Closer inspection in slomo shows it is actually a plane with propellors which maybe explains the mystery. See video below.
This animation of sunspot 4366 was the front page feature on Spaceweather.com on 10th February 2026. Click here to read their technical explanation of why they chose it.
