Unprecedented images capture the sun's volatile activity during solar maximum.

New images of the sun's surface captured by the National Science Foundation's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope have revealed sunspots and other features in unprecedented detail. The eight images showcase the quieter aspects of the solar surface, including cool, dark sunspots that can be the size of Earth or larger. The telescope's capabilities will allow scientists to answer key questions about the sun, including the origin of solar storms and the complexities of its magnetic field, as it approaches the July 2025 solar maximum.