Astrophotographer Captures 'Godzilla' Plasma Cloud on Sun, Highlighting Solar Activity
Astrophotographer Mark Johnston has captured two striking videos of solar prominences, which are massive clouds of glowing plasma suspended above the sun by magnetic fields. The first video, taken on May 22, 2026, shows a prominence releasing streams of material that fall back toward the sun as coronal rain. The second video, from May 31, 2026, reveals a 'Godzilla'-like prominence looming above the solar surface. Johnston, who filmed these phenomena from his backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona, used a 160mm refractor with a specialized hydrogen-alpha solar filter. He explained that the movement of the plasma, which may appear wind-swept, is primarily controlled by the sun's magnetic field rather than wind. The hydrogen on the sun is ionized, allowing magnetic fields to guide it along invisible lines. Johnston emphasizes that while the prominences resemble fiery eruptions, they are not flames; the sun's hydrogen is so hot that it glows, similar to a red-hot stove. 
