The first images taken by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) latest solar telescope show the cell-like structures "the size of Texas" that cover the sun's surface.
The snapshots show a pattern of "turbulent boiling plasma" that covers the whole of the sun's surface.
According to the NFA, each of the cell-like structures depicted are approximately the size of Texas, and are a sign of "violent" motions that transport heat from the inside of the sun to its surface.
This process, known as convection, sees the hot solar plasma rise to form the bright centres of the cells before cooling off and sinking below the surface, creating dark "lanes".

The images have been captured using the NSF's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii ? the world's largest solar telescope. It combines a four-meter mirror with "unparalleled viewing conditions" atop the 10,000-foot Haleakala mountain in Maui, Hawaii.
Used for the first time, the telescope captured the highest resolution images ever taken of the sun's surface. Scientists hope this will help them better understand the sun's activity, known as space weather, and its impact on the earth.

More specifically, scientists hope the newly revealed details will allow them to determine what causes the sun to release powerful flares out into space.
These are potentially harmful to air travel, satellite communications and can bring down power grids, causing long-lasting blackouts and disabling ...