Latest about solar maximum
Scientists finally confirm that solar maximum is well underway — and the worst could still be to come
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
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)
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.
A particularly active 'aurora season' could be just weeks away
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.
Sunspots surge to 23-year high as solar maximum continues to intensify far beyond initial expectations
The average number of visible dark patches on the sun's surface in August was higher than any other month since September 2001. The final count was more than twice as high as experts initially predicted it would be.
The sun might've just had a record-breaking number of visible sunspots
On Aug. 8, NASA scientists may have spotted a record number of sunspots when hundreds of individual spots were estimated to occur within 24 hours.
Auroras headed to the US again in aftermath of gargantuan 'X-class' solar flare
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.
The sun's magnetic field is about to flip. Here's what to expect.
When the sun reaches its period of peak activity, known as solar maximum, our star's magentic field will suddenly reverse. But why does it happen, and will it impact Earth?
Scientists discover the possible origin of the sun's magnetic field, and it's not where they thought it was
New simulations suggest that the origins of the sun's explosive storms could lie much closer to its surface than first thought.
'We'll be studying this event for years': Recent auroras may have been the strongest in 500 years, NASA says
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.
