BigPic: Sun Gone Wild

,"migrated":true}]]Every time the sun lashes out with another beautiful but potentially threatening solar flare or coronal mass ejection, we are reminded that the naturally occurring solar cycle is approaching a "solar maximum" in 2013 and that solar activity is on the ascent. But what does that mean? If you're having a hard time picturing an active ball of flaming nuclear fusion versus a less-active ball of flaming nuclear fusion, simply see above.Solar maximum (and minimum) are terms that describe whether we are at a peak or a trough in the sun's natural 11-year cycle, and they are…