coronal mass ejection
Latest about coronal mass ejection
X-class solar flares hit a new record in 2024 and could spike further this year — but the sun isn't entirely to blame, experts say
By Harry Baker published
There were significantly more X-class solar flares in 2024 than any other year for at least three decades. The arrival of solar maximum was a key reason for the spike, but other factors were also at play.
New NASA robot with X-ray vision will watch Earth 'breathing' from the moon
By Ben Turner published
NASA's LEXI instrument is set to land on the moon's surface sometime this month. Using X-ray sensors, the device will watch Earth's atmosphere "breathing out and breathing in" to uncover key space weather mysteries.
'Like they were demon possessed': Geomagnetic super storms are causing tractors to dance from side to side across US farms — and the sun is to blame
By Harry Baker published
Powerful solar storms in May and October painted auroras across large parts of North America. But some U.S. farmers also witnessed unusual activity from their high-tech machinery, which started boogying back and forth as a result of the geomagnetic disturbances.
Our sun may be overdue for a 'superflare' stronger than billions of atomic bombs, new research warns
By Ben Turner published
Observations made using a new method have revealed that sun-like stars produce cataclysmic superflares once every hundred years. Could our sun create one soon?
Thanksgiving auroras? Solar storm likely to hit Earth on Thursday and Friday, NOAA warns
By Brandon Specktor last updated
An outburst of solar energy looks primed to hit Earth on Thursday, potentially bringing auroras to the northern U.S. on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
X9 solar flare launched from sun is the biggest in 7 years — and Earth is in the firing line (again)
By Harry Baker published
The sun has unleashed the most powerful solar flare since 2017, just days after it spat out another monster explosion. Both outbursts have launched solar storms that will likely hit Earth this weekend and trigger vibrant aurora displays.
Monster X-class flare launches massive solar storm towards Earth — and could trigger auroras this weekend
By Harry Baker published
The sun just unleashed one of its largest solar explosions in recent years, temporarily causing a radio blackout on Earth and spitting out a coronal mass ejection that will likely collide with our planet this weekend.
Intense solar storm opens '2-way highway' for charged particles, sparking rare auroras on the sun
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Last year, Earth spewed charged particles into the sun in a rare cosmic event that has surprised scientists.
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