Solar flare
Latest about Solar flare

Gargantuan sunspot 15-Earths wide shoots powerful X-class flare toward Earth, triggering radio blackouts
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
A sunspot so big it rivals the gigantic sunspot responsible for the Carrington Event in 1859 has unleashed another X-class solar flare, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.

Powerful X-class solar flare slams Earth, triggering radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
On March 28, Earth was hit by an X-class solar flare that was strong enough to ionize part of the planet's atmosphere.

What if the Carrington Event, the largest solar storm ever recorded, happened today?
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
If a solar storm as big as the Carrington Event struck today, it could lead to years long power outages.

Earth hit by radiation from rare 'double' X-class solar flare, triggering most powerful geomagnetic storm in 6 years
By Harry Baker published
A recent X-class flare, which was split into two simultaneous explosions, launched a coronal mass ejection that smashed into Earth, triggering the most powerful disruption to our planet's magnetic field for more than six years.

Mercury slammed by gargantuan eruption from the sun's hidden far side, possibly triggering 'X-ray auroras'
By Harry Baker published
A gigantic plasma eruption from the sun's hidden far side recently launched a sizable coronal mass ejection that slammed into Mercury, potentially triggering invisible X-ray auroras around the planet's rocky surface.

3rd X-class solar flare in 24 hours is the most powerful for 6 years — and it may not be the last
By Harry Baker published
A hyperactive sunspot recently unleashed its third X-class flare in under 24 hours. The X6 flare is the most powerful since 2017 and could be followed by equally massive explosions.

Are solar flares responsible for the AT&T service outage? Not likely, experts say.
By Ben Turner published
Two X-class solar flares arrived at Earth last night and early this morning. The radiation bursts coincided with massive cellphone service outages across the U.S., but experts urge that the events may not be related.

'A wonderful spectacle': Photographer snaps rare solar eruption as 'magnetic noose' strangles the sun's south pole
By Harry Baker published
A recent solar flare unleashed a massive plasma plume from the sun's south pole, where these stellar eruptions rarely happen. The unusual phenomenon is a sign of the impending solar maximum.
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