Solar flare
Latest about Solar flare
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.
Watch the 1st X-class solar flare of 2024 erupt from the sun in explosive fashion
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
An X-class flare, the most powerful type of solar flare, erupted from the sun on Feb. 9, 2024. Lucky for us, Earth wasn't in the direct firing line.
Monstrous X5 solar flare launched on New Year's Eve could bring auroras to Earth tonight
By Brandon Specktor published
In the final hours of Dec. 31, 2023, the sun launched its most powerful solar flare in 6 years. On Jan. 2, radiation from the blast may bring auroras to Earth's skies.
'Cannibal' solar explosion likely to hit Earth today, bringing strong geomagnetic storm and widespread auroras
By Harry Baker last updated
A recent solar explosion that almost reached "X-class" status has hurled a massive coronal mass ejection toward Earth, which will likely hit our planet and trigger a geomagnetic storm on Dec. 1.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.