Confirmed: The Sun is a Not Perfect Sphere (but it is purple!)

NASA scientists have found that despite its extremely strong gravity, the sun is not a perfect sphere. Apparently bouts of solar activity cause it to develop a “cantaloupe-type” skin that alters the shape of the sun. The calcium-k filter used to take this photo shows the funky cantaloupe texture quite clearly.

And in keeping with my theme of amazing space photos, the cantaloupe skin also makes for darn good photography.

Photo credit: Gary Palmer