NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observes two relatively small prominences above the Sun's surface twisted and streamed charged particles over a 20-hour period (July 30-31, 2018), shown here in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Prominences are large, bright features anchored to the Sun's photosphere but extending outward into its hot outer atmosphere, called the corona. Scientists are still researching how and why prominences are formed. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22661

A prominence at the sun's edge shifted and slithered back and forth over a one-day period (Nov. 29-30, 2017). Prominences are strands of charged particles suspended above the sun's surface that are pulled and tugged by magnetic forces. This kind of close-up also shows the kind of dynamic activity taking place all over the sun's surface. The bright area further down from the prominence is an active region, an area of intense tangles of magnetic forces. Towards the end of the clip, it blasts out a small stream of plasma (captured in the still). The images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22123

A prominence rose up above the sun, sent an arch of plasma to link up magnetically with an active region over a one-day period (Jan, 9-10, 2017). Then the flow of plasma seemed to largely change direction and head back where it came from. Finally, amidst the confused patterns of movement, it dissipated and fell away. Prominences are cooler clouds of charged particles tenuously tethered to the sun by magnetic forces. Images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22199

A small prominence observed in profile arched up and sent streams of plasma curling back into the sun over a 30-hour period (Dec. 13-14, 2017). We are observing charged particles streaming along magnetic field lines made visible in extreme ultraviolet light. Prominences are cooler strands of plasma tethered above the sun's surface by magnetic forces. They are quite unstable and frequently fall apart within hours or days. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22196

A small prominence hovered above the sun's surface over a two-day period (June 12-14, 2018) before breaking off into space. Prominences are cooler, darker clouds of plasma tethered above the sun by magnetic forces. These clouds of gases are notoriously unstable. The images were taken in the 304 Angstrom wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22537

A small prominence rose up above the sun, appeared to twist around for several hours, and then began to send some streams of plasma back into the sun (Jan. 3-4, 2018). The action, observed in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, lasted just about one day. Prominences like this one are quite common. In fact, there were several over the past few days. For a sense of scale, the prominence reached up more than several times the size of Earth. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22198

On Jan. 23-24, 2017, NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory watched as a solar prominence rose up along the edge of the sun and twisted and churned for about two days before falling apart. The dynamic action was generated by competing magnetic forces. The images were taken in a wavelength extreme ultraviolet light that observes activity close to the solar surface, perfect for capturing prominences, which are notoriously unstable clouds of plasma suspended above the sun. Movies are available at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA11237

A prominence at the edge of the sun provided us with a splendid view of solar plasma as it churned and streamed over less than one day (June 25-26, 2017). The charged particles of plasma were being manipulated by strong magnetic forces. When viewed in this wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, we can trace the movements of the particles. Such occurrences are fairly common but much easier to see when they are near the sun's edge. For a sense of scale, the arch of prominence in the still image has risen up several times the size of Earth. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21768

Large, eruptive prominence in He II at 304Å, with an image of the Earth added for size comparison. This prominence from 24 July 1999 is particularly large and looping, extending over 35 Earths out from the Sun. Erupting prominences (when Earthward directed) can affect communications, navigation systems, even power grids, while also producing auroras visible in the night skies. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SOHO/ESA To learn more go to the SOHO website: <a href="http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html" rel="nofollow">sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html</a> To learn more about NASA's Sun Earth Day go here: <a href="http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2010/index.php" rel="nofollow">sunearthday.nasa.gov/2010/index.php</a>

A solar prominence at the sun's edge put on quite a display of plasma being pushed and pulled by unstable magnetic fields (May 22-24, 2017). We call them hedgerow prominences because they look somewhat like a hedge of bushes. This is one of the better examples of this type of solar phenomenon than any we have seen in quite some time. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21650

The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft captured this large prominence and corona mass ejection as they erupted into space (Sept. 26, 2014). By combining images from three instruments, scientists can see the eruption itself (in extreme UV light) as well as follow its progression over the period of about 13 hours with its two coronagraphs. Credit: NASA/Goddard/STEREO The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft captured this large prominence and corona mass ejection as they erupted into space (Sept. 26, 2014). By combining images from three instruments, scientists can see the eruption itself (in extreme UV light) as well as follow its progression over the period of about 13 hours with its two coronagraphs.

A small prominence slowly rose further up above the sun, then fell apart and back into the sun over about seven hours (Dec. 6, 2017). Prominences, notoriously unstable, are cooler clouds of particles tethered not far above the sun by magnetic forces. When it stretched out, its distance above the sun was several times the size of Earth. Images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. These images are colorized since we cannot "see" ultraviolet light. In this case, a yellow tone was used instead of the normal red tint we use for this 304 Angstrom wavelength. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22195

The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft captured this large prominence and corona mass ejection as they erupted into space (Sept. 26, 2014). By combining images from three instruments, scientists can see the eruption itself (in extreme UV light) as well as follow its progression over the period of about 13 hours with its two coronagraphs. Credit: NASA/Goddard/STEREO The STEREO (Behind) spacecraft captured this large prominence and corona mass ejection as they erupted into space (Sept. 26, 2014). By combining images from three instruments, scientists can see the eruption itself (in extreme UV light) as well as follow its progression over the period of about 13 hours with its two coronagraphs.

Prominent Doublet Ridges on Europa

The Sun blows a robust prominence out into space (Dec. 10, 2102). The outer image, from the STEREO-A's COR1 coronagraph, has been changed from green to red to complement the green Sun image, taken in extreme UV light. The movie covers six hours of activity. Kind of Christmassy looking, isn't it? Some of the prominence falls back towards the sun, although the disturbance as a whole continues out into the solar system. Credit: NASA/GSFC/STEREO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

NASA Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard ESA’s SOHO spacecraft took this image of a huge, handle-shaped prominence in 1999. Prominences are huge clouds of relatively cool dense plasma suspended in the Sun hot, thin corona.

On Oct. 24-25, 2018 a solar prominence rose up above the Sun's surface, twisted and spun around, then became elongated and broke away. Prominences are unstable clouds of cooler plasma suspended above the Sun by strong magnetic forces. They often fall apart after a few days. Although tiny on the scale of the Sun, this prominence stretched out about ten times the diameter of Earth (see inset). Images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Animations are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18140

At the edge of the sun, a large prominence and a small prominence began to shift, turn and fall apart in less than one day (May 8-9, 2017). Prominences are notoriously unstable. Competing magnetic forces pulled the plasma back and forth until they dissipated. The images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. The 18-second video clip is comprised of almost 600 frames being shown at 30 frames per second. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21634

The sun sported four smallish prominences along its edge at about the same time (Dec. 12-14, 2018). They were at the positions of 2 o'clock, 5 o'clock, 7 o'clock, and 10 o'clock. The largest and most active of the prominences was at the 7 o'clock point. Prominences are clouds of charged particles suspended above the sun by magnetic forces. These were observed in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. The video clip covers almost two days' of activity: it consists of 335 frames being shown at 20 frames per second. Movies available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21212

A prominence observed along the right edge of the sun rose up and then most of it bent back down to the surface (Oct. 4, 2016). Prominences are clouds of plasma, usually elongated, that are suspended above the sun by magnetic forces. They are notably unstable. A review of SOHO's coronagraph videos shows that some of the particles did break away into space. The video clip, which covers eight hours of activity, was taken in a wavelength of extreme UV light. Movies are available at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21106

Two solar prominences, directly at opposite sides of the Sun, rose up, twisted around, and fell apart at roughly the same time over a 26-hour period (Nov. 12-13, 2018). Prominences are cooler clouds of plasma suspended above the Sun by powerful magnetic forces. Although prominences are fairly common, it is uncommon to see two of them, about the same size, diametrically opposed to each other and lasting just about the same time. The images were taken in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light. Movie available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18143

Some of the prominences that float like lazy clouds above the solar surface suddenly erupt and break away from the Sun in cataclysmic action. The trigger of this coronal transient, like many others seen by Skylab's coronagraph, was an eruptive prominence that surged outward from the limb of the Sun, ejecting matter that disturbed the outer corona. This image is of the surge in action in ultraviolet light of ionized helium. Simultaneous observations like this made possible an almost immediate understanding of the new-found cosmic phenomenon. The elbow prominence was accidentally photographed by Astronaut Garriott (Skylab-3) while observing a small flare near the limb of the Sun beneath the mighty arch on August 9, 1973.

Solar activity and erupting prominences. EIT 304A (Jan. 8-10, 2000) Credit: NASA/GSFC/SOHO/ESA To learn more go to the SOHO website: <a href="http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html" rel="nofollow">sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html</a> To learn more about NASA's Sun Earth Day go here: <a href="http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2010/index.php" rel="nofollow">sunearthday.nasa.gov/2010/index.php</a>

A solar prominence gathered itself into a twisting cone, then rose up and broke apart in a delicate dance of plasma above the sun (Feb. 20, 2017). The event, observed in a wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, lasted just about four hours. Prominences are unstable clouds of plasma suspended above the sun's surface by magnetic forces. This kind of event is not uncommon. The brighter area near the bottom of the images is an active region. Movies are available at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21552

An erupting prominence observed by SDO on March 30, 2010. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO To read more about this image go to: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/first-light.html" rel="nofollow">www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/first-light.html</a> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe.

This photograph of Mercury, taken by NASA Mariner 10, shows two prominent rayed craters. Bright halos extend as far as 2 crater diameters beyond crater rims. Individual rays extend from halo.

Many prominent rocks near the Sagan Memorial Station are featured in this image from NASA Mars Pathfinder. Shark, Half-Dome, and Pumpkin are at center 3D glasses are necessary to identify surface detail.

NASA image captured Feb. 24, 2011 To see an image showing the size of the prominence in comparison to the <b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5492781335/">size of earth click here.</a></b> To view a video of this event go to: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5483193591">www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5483193591</a> When a rather large-sized (M 3.6 class) flare occurred near the edge of the Sun, it blew out a gorgeous, waving mass of erupting plasma that swirled and twisted over a 90-minute period (Feb. 24, 2011). This event was captured in extreme ultraviolet light by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft . Some of the material blew out into space and other portions fell back to the surface. Because SDO images are super-HD, we can zoom in on the action and still see exquisite details. And using a cadence of a frame taken every 24 seconds, the sense of motion is, by all appearances, seamless. Sit back and enjoy the jaw-dropping solar show. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Join us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b>

This photograph shows a solar prominence in action, one of Skylab's many splendorous views. It was taken on August 21, 1973. Interpretation of the rich store of Skylab ultraviolet solar data was facilitated by computerized color enhancement of the original black-and-white images, highlighting subtle but important brightness differences.

A mass of plasma gathered itself into a twisting mass, spun around for a bit, then rose up and broke apart over a 10-hour period Oct. 13, 2015 as observed by NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory. The image and video were produced with a combination of two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light. Prominences are unstable clouds of gas tethered above the surface of the Sun by magnetic forces. Much of the jittering and odd jumping motions above the surface were artifacts caused by brightening and contrast changes used to bring out the detail and structure of the prominence. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20008

Many prominent rocks near the Sagan Memorial Station are featured in this image, from NASA Mars Pathfinder. Shark, Half-Dome, and Pumpkin, Flat Top and Frog are at center 3D glasses are necessary to identify surface detail.

NASA image acquired May 30, 2011 On May 30, 2011, the STEREO Behind spacecraft caught a prominence in the process of leaping from one part of the Sun to another. In this movie: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5804079351">www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5804079351</a> combining images from the EUVI and COR1 telescopes, the prominence is first seen erupting by EUVI in images taken in the Helium II emission line at 304 Angstroms. At higher elevations, it is seen in white light by the COR1 telescope. In the COR1 images, the prominence pauses. Some of the prominence material drains back down, but most of it is deflected to the north, and ends up raining down on a completely different part of the Sun, far from where it started. This is very unusual behavior for an erupting prominence, and this event is sure to be carefully studied by scientists. Some out-of-focus dust particles just in front of the COR1 telescope are briefly visible toward the end of the movie. Credit: NASA/GSFC/STEREO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Join us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagr.am/p/E_05l/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

Some prominences are seen as the moon begins to move off the sun during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

This mosaic of a prominent mound located on the western side of Cerealia Facula was obtained by NASA's Dawn spacecraft on June 22, 2018 from an altitude of about 21 miles (34 kilometers). The geometry of this feature is similar to a mesa or large butte with a flat top. It has been puzzling scientists since its discovery in the early images of the Dawn mission at Ceres. These new images reveal many details. In particular, the relationships between the bright material, mostly composed of sodium carbonate, and the dark background might hold clues about the origin of the facula. This feature is located at about 19.5 degrees north latitude and 239.2 degrees east longitude. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22477

The Cassini spacecraft eyes a prominent crater on the moon Janus.

iss072e363878 (Dec. 9, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedtion 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit took this photograph of a U.S. spacesuit helmet with his reflection prominent on the helmet's visor inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock.

Logos of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are displayed prominently on the tail of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of the moon crossing in front of its view of the sun on Jan. 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. EST in 171 and 304 angstrom light. The two wavelengths are blended together. Credit: NASA/SDO <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

The two prominent dark gaps in Saturn A ring contain small embedded moons and a host of other intriguing features

This image shows the margin of the south polar cap. The polar layers are prominently shown against the rocky surroundings

Volcanism and erosion are prominently seen in this view of the eastern flank of the Andes Mountains taken by NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM.

This image NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbitershows a prominently stratified transect through the rock of a mountain of material in the middle of Hebes Chasma.

Craters of all sizes litter the landscape on Dione. The larger craters in this view display prominent central peak

Prominently displayed in this image, Mt. Pinos, at 2,692 meters 8,831 feet is the highest peak in the Los Padres National Forest.

S74-15697 (17 Jan. 1974) --- The solar corona and a solar prominence as seen through the White Light Coronograph, Skylab Experiment S052, on Jan. 17, 1974. This view was reproduced from a television transmission made by a TV camera aboard the Skylab space station in Earth orbit. The bright spot is a burn in the vidicon. The solar corona is the halo around the sun which is normally visible only at the time of solar eclipse by the moon. The Skylab coronography uses an externally-mounted disk system which occults the brilliant solar surface while allowing the fainter radiation of the corona to enter an annulus and be photographed. A mirror system allows either TV viewing of the corona or photographic recording of the image. Photo credit: NASA

The dark B ring of Saturn is highlighted here by numerous faint spokes. The two most prominent spokes are seen below and to the right of center

This image from NASA Dawn spacecraft is dominated by bright rayed craters of different sizes. The most prominent bright rayed crater is name Tuccia.

This image from NASA Dawn spacecraft is dominated by bright rayed craters of different sizes. The most prominent bright rayed crater is named Tuccia.

This image from NASA Dawn spacecraft of Ceres shows a portion of a large crater with prominent spurs of compacted material and gullies along its rim.

This global map from NASA Dawn mission shows the topography of the giant asteroid Vesta, with the seven most prominent impact basins highlighted.

Mare Ingenii may be best known for its prominent lunar swirls, which are high albedo surface features associated with magnetic anomalies.

Herschel Crater features prominently on the moon Mimas in this NASA Cassini spacecraft image, which gives the impression of an eye staring out into space.

STS054-151-009 (13-19 Jan 1993) --- This large format camera's view shows the circular volcanic structure of the Brandberg mountain, which at 2630 meters (8,550 feet) is the highest point in the new nation of Namibia. The Brandberg is a major feature in the very arid Namib Desert on Africa's southwest coast. Coastal fog brings some moisture to the driest parts of the desert.

Between the claws of the dreaded scorpion imagined by the ancient Greeks lies this giant dust cloud, imaged by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. The constellation of Scorpius is prominent in the summer night sky in North America.

The prominent linear feature straight down the center of this perspective view is the San Andreas Fault in an image created with data from NASA shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM.

Many prominent rocks near the Sagan Memorial Station are featured in this image, from NASA Mars Pathfinder. Flat Top and Little Flat Top are at center. 3-D glasses are necessary to identify surface detail.

These images from NASA Dawn spacecraft show part of asteroid Vesta equatorial region, which contains a prominent, deep impact crater lower center of images and large troughs linear depressions.

NASA Mariner 10 spacecraft was coaxed into a third and final encounter with Mercury in March of 1975. This is one of the highest resolution images of Mercury acquired by the spacecraft. The prominent scarp snaking up the image was named Discovery Rupes.

NASA Mariner 10 photo reveals a heavily cratered terrain on Mercury with a prominent scrap extending several hundred kilometers across the upper left. A crater, nested in a larger crater, is at top center.

This near-infrared photograph of the Earth was taken by the Galileo spacecraft at 6:07 a.m. PST on Dec. 11, 1990, at a range of about 1.32 million miles. South America is prominent near the center. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00226

A trio of large storms embraces in Saturn high north. The three prominent vortices seen here are each wide enough to span the distance from New York City to Denver, or from London to Moscow

The prominent linear feature straight down the center of this perspective view is California famous San Andreas Fault. The image was created with data from NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM.

Rhea displays a prominent scar in this view from Cassini. A large and ancient impact basin can be seen at upper right. The giant feature occurs within a terrain that appears rugged and which likely is saturated with other smaller craters

Zadeni Crater, at 80 miles 128 kilometers wide, is a prominent impact feature in the southern hemisphere of Ceres. This image from NASA Dawn spacecraft shows terrain in Zadeni interior, which hosts numerous smaller craters.

The Orion nebula is featured in this sweeping image from NASA WISE. The constellation of Orion is prominent in the evening sky throughout the world from about December through April of each year.

Saturn most prominent feature, its dazzling ring system, takes center stage in this stunning natural color mosaic which reveals the color and diversity present in this wonder of the solar system.

This image of Ceres from NASA Dawn spacecraft was taken at an oblique viewing angle relative to the surface. The crater to the upper right is named Juling which displays prominent spurs of compacted material along its walls.

This perspective view of Venus, generated by computer from NASA Magellan data and color-coded with emissivity, shows part of the lowlands to the north of Ovda Regio. The prominent topographic feature is a shield volcano. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00308

The Cassini spacecraft finds oddly-shaped Atlas gliding along the edge of the A ring. The moon has a prominent equatorial bulge, which is accentuated here by the grazing viewing angle of Cassini, making Atlas appear pointy

This prominent circular feature, known as the Richat Structure, in the Sahara desert of Mauritania is often noted by astronauts because it forms a conspicuous bull-eye on the otherwise rather featureless expanse of the desert.

This infrared image, from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, of M100 is a classic example of a grand design spiral galaxy, with prominent and well-defined spiral arms winding from the hot center, out to the cooler edges of the galaxy.

Saturn moon Tethys with its prominent Odysseus Crater silently slips behind Saturn largest moon Titan and then emerges on the other side in this image taken by NASA Cassini spacecraft.

The prominent circular feature seen here is known as the Richat Structure, in the Sahara desert of Mauritania. This anaglyph is from NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. 3D glasses are necessary to view this image.

Prominent dark areas found in the Titan equatorial region appear to contain vast and continuous dune fields, discovered by the Cassini Radar experiment and likely composed of particles that drop from Titan unique, smoggy atmosphere

Two adjoining craters on Ceres are featured in this image from NASA Dawn spacecraft. A lobe-shaped feature is prominent in the larger crater interior. Bright material is visible at the intersection of the two craters.

This image from NASA Dawn spacecraft features a relatively fresh crater on Ceres with prominent spurs of compacted material and gullies along its rim. Boulders of a variety of sizes litter the crater floor and the area around its rim.

A dark, smooth, relatively uncratered area on Mercury was photographed two hours after NASA Mariner 10 flew by the planet. The prominent, sharp crater with a central peak is 30 kilometers 19 miles across.

This view from NASA Dawn spacecraft shows part of the crater named Sekhet on Ceres. Prominent shadows within the crater highlight Sekhet central peak and mounds of material that have slumped downward from its walls.

Cassini looks into the 245-kilometer 150-mile wide crater Melanthius in this view of the southern terrain on Tethys. The crater possesses a prominent cluster of peaks in its center which are relics of its formation

One of the most prominent lobate scarps Discovery Scarp, photographed by NASA Mariner 10 during it first encounter with Mercury, is located at the center of this image extending from the top to near bottom.

Many prominent rocks near the Sagan Memorial Station are featured in this image, from NASA Mars Pathfinder. Wedge is at lower left; Shark, Half-Dome, and Pumpkin are at center. 3-D glasses are necessary to identify surface detail.

Erosional features are prominent in this view of southern Colorado taken NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM. The area covers about 20,000 square kilometers and is located about 50 kilometers south of Pueblo, Colorado.

NASA Dawn spacecraft shows Sekhet Crater on Ceres has prominent shadows accentuating its central peak and mounds of material that have slumped downward from its walls.

Aitoff projection of the three-color composite JHKs source count map of the entire sky, based on 95,851,173 stars with Ks 13.5. What appears most prominently are the Galactic plane and the Galactic bulge.

The prominent rock in this image from NASA rover Curiosity, informally named East Bull Rock, is about 20 inches half a meter high. The rock-studded local rise dominating the image is called Elsie Mountain.

A prominence at the edge of the sun provided us with a splendid view of solar plasma as it churned and streamed over less than one day (June 25-26, 2017). The charged particles of plasma were being manipulated by strong magnetic forces. When viewed in this wavelength of extreme ultraviolet light, we can trace the movements of the particles. Such occurrences are fairly common but much easier to see when they are near the sun's edge. For a sense of scale, the arch of prominence in the still image has risen up several times the size of Earth. Movies are available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21783

iss058e002245 (Jan. 7, 2019) --- The U.S. Cygnus space freighter from Northrop Grumman and its prominent cymbal-shaped UltraFlex solar arrays are pictured as the International Space Station orbited 262 miles above the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Argentina. Towards the top center of the photograph is the seven-windowed cupola with its shutters open.

jsc2025e064526 (June 23, 2024) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 commander and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman participates in a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. Her name, “Z. Cardman” is prominently shown with the American flag. Credit: SpaceX

jsc2025e064536 (March 6, 2025) --- NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission specialist and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov participates in a training session at SpaceX facilities in Hawthorne, California. His name, “O. Platonov” is prominently shown with the Russian flag. Credit: SpaceX

iss065e045974 (May 13, 2021) --- The night lights of Italy are prominent as the International Space Station soared 262 miles above southern Europe during an orbital twilight.

This view from NASA Dawn spacecraft shows a crater in the southern hemisphere of Ceres with a prominent central peak. The image is centered at approximately 63 degrees south latitude, 143 degrees east longitude. Dawn captured the scene on Dec. 24, 2015.

The prominent linear feature straight down the center of this perspective view is the San Andreas Fault. This segment of the fault lies near the city of Palmdale, CA the flat area in the right half of the image about 60 kilometers north of Los Angeles.

On Jan. 24, 1986, NASA Voyager 2 returned the highest-resolution picture of Titania, Uranus largest satellite. Abundant impact craters of many sizes pockmark the ancient surface; most prominent features are fault valleys that stretch across Titania. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00039

iss071e418233 (Aug. 6, 2024) --- Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo craft, with its prominent cymbal-shaped UltraFlex solar arrays, is pictured awaiting its capture by the Canadarm2 robotic arm commanded by Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick of NASA. The maneuver marked the 50th free-flying capture for the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

This image from NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a region near Memnonia Sulci, which has been eroded by the wind to form linear ridges called yardangs. The two prominent directions of wind are recorded by the two directions of the ridges.

Atlas Image mosaic, covering 34 x 34 on the sky, of the Coma cluster, aka Abell 1656. This is a particularly rich cluster of individual galaxies over 1000 members, most prominently the two giant ellipticals, NGC 4874 right and NGC 4889 left.

NASA Dawn spacecraft shows Azacca Crater has a prominent set of north-south trending fractures. Its floor is relatively smooth and its rim has terraces descending toward its floor. Azacca was named for the Haitian god of agriculture.

ISS006-E-28016 (February 2003) --- The Coal Sack Nebula (bottom center), the Southern Cross (lower right), and the two prominent stars in the upper left, which are the two prominent stars of the southern constellation Centaurus, are visible in this view photographed by astronaut Donald R. Pettit, Expedition Six NASA ISS science officer, on board the International Space Station (ISS).

AS10-31-4537 (18-26 May 1969) --- This near vertical photograph taken from the Apollo 10 Command and Service Modules shows features typical of the Sea of Tranquility near Apollo Landing Site 2. HOLD PICTURE WITH PRONOUNCED LINEAR FEATURE PARALLEL TO LEFT MARGIN. The proposed landing area for Apollo 11 (Lunar Landing Site 2) is a relatively smooth maria area in the upper right quadrant of the photographed area. Apollo 10 traveled from the bottom to the top of the picture. The prominent linear feature at left is Hypatia Rille (called "U.S. 1" by the Apollo 10 crew). The prominent crater centered in Hypatia Rille at top left is Moltke AC (code name "Chuck Hole"). Moltke, the prominent crater to the right of Hypatia Rille, is centered near 24.2 degrees east longitude, and 0.6 degrees south latitude.

The two prominent mesas in this view of Mars' "Murray Buttes" region from NASA's Curiosity Mars rover are about 260 feet (about 80 meters) apart. The top of the one on the left is about 26 feet (about 8 meters) above the surrounding plain and about 330 feet (about 100 meters) from Curiosity's position when the rover acquired this view on Aug. 18, 2016, during the 1,434th Martian day, or sol, of its work Mars. The component images of this mosaic were taken by the right-eye camera of the rover's Mast Camera (Mastcam), which has a telephoto lens. The mesa on the right is about 33 feet (about 10 meters) high. The top of it is about 270 feet (about 82 meters) from the rover. Upper Mount Sharp is the salmon-hued mound dominating the horizon between the scene's two prominent mesas. The left edge of this view is east-northeast from the rover; the right edge is southeast. The rover's location when it recorded this scene was the site it reached in its Sol 1433 drive. (See map at http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=7999.) The scene is presented with a color adjustment that approximates white balancing, to resemble how the rocks and sand would appear under daytime lighting conditions on Earth. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20841