Sun Spots

OK, here's the next puzzle:  How did I get this image of the sun?   Was a telescope used?  What kind of filtering would let me focus directly on the sun's surface?  Or did I just borrow the shot from someone else's photograph?   Or did I use a projection through a pinhole onto a blank surface?


Any ideas?
I will give you a hint:  You could make the same shot without buying expensive equipment.  You would have to buy something, but it would not be costly.

New Puzzle Photo

OK, Sports.  Here is another photo to identify.   This one should be a lot easier than the burning match.  This is something you surely have seen, but maybe not in this color.  And maybe not from this angle.  Any ideas?