An Airplane in Front of the Sun

Explanation: Sometimes, good planes come to those who wait. Experienced solar photographer Thierry Lagault had noticed planes crossing in front of the Sun from his home in suburban Paris . He then got the idea for the above photograph, but had to wait through many near misses. About two weeks ago, he got his wish: a jet crossed directly in front of the Sun when his solar imaging equipment was set up. The resulting image, shown above , was taken in a specific color of red light called Hydrogen-Alpha , and the picture's contrast has been digitally enhanced. Dark prominences can be seen lacing the Sun's busy surface . The airplane is an MD-11 .