solar flares
Latest about solar flares
'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.
Scientists finally confirm that solar maximum is well underway — and the worst could still be to come
By Harry Baker published
A surprise announcement from scientists involved in monitoring the solar cycle has finally confirmed that the sun's most active and dangerous phase — solar maximum — is already well underway, and could continue for at least a year.
'Severe' solar storm that hit Earth Thursday could be 'global phenomenon' with auroras as far south as California
By Brandon Specktor last updated
A powerful solar outburst hit Earth Thursday, triggering a "severe" geomagnetic storm. Auroras could be visible as far south as California and Alabama, NOAA predicts.
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.
Auroras may paint the northern US tonight as Earth reels from 'strong' G3 geomagnetic storm
By Brandon Specktor published
Vibrant auroras could be visible as far south as Oregon and Pennsylvania tonight as Earth reels from a "strong" G3-class geomagnetic storm. However, the nearly full Harvest Moon may complicate viewing opportunities.
A particularly active 'aurora season' could be just weeks away
By Jamie Carter published
September could be a prime time to see vibrant auroras, thanks to a quirk of Earth's tilt that leads to more intense geomagnetic activity around the equinox.
Auroras headed to the US again in aftermath of gargantuan 'X-class' solar flare
By Brandon Specktor published
Auroras may once again be visible in northern parts of the U.S. this weekend as Earth braces for impact from a powerful coronal mass ejection.
'We'll be studying this event for years': Recent auroras may have been the strongest in 500 years, NASA says
By Harry Baker published
Vibrant auroras that were recently observed by millions of people across the globe were some of the most widespread in the last five centuries, NASA says. The light shows may have also reached the equator.
Sun launches strongest solar flare of current cycle in monster X8.7-class eruption
By Brandon Specktor published
The strongest solar flare in half a decade just launched off the sun from the same sunspot group that triggered dazzling auroras last weekend. But don't expect northern lights this time around.
4 solar flares simultaneously erupt from the sun in rare 'super' explosion — and Earth could be hit by the fallout
By Harry Baker published
In the early hours of Tuesday (April 23), quadruple solar flares near-simultaneously exploded from across the sun's surface, and there's a good chance that one of these outbursts launched a solar storm toward Earth.
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