Latest about solar maximum
Solar maximum may already be upon us, expert warns — but we won't know for sure until the sun's explosive peak is over
A solar physicist who accurately predicted that the sun's explosive peak would arrive sooner — and be more powerful — than originally forecast tells Live Science that it may have already begun. However, we won't know for sure until long after it has finished.
Exploding, green 'devil comet' could photobomb April 8 total solar eclipse — and it might be visible with the naked eye
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the "devil comet," will be positioned close to the sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse. Some photographers also predict that the volcanic comet may be visible to the naked eye, especially if it blows its top before the big event.
Gargantuan sunspot that spit out the strongest solar flare in 6 years is now pointing 'almost directly' at Earth
Sunspot AR3590, which recently spit out three X-class solar flares in under 24 hours, has grown even larger and is now pointed almost directly at Earth, putting us in the crosshairs of more potential eruptions.
3rd X-class solar flare in 24 hours is the most powerful for 6 years — and it may not be the last
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.
Near-simultaneous solar flares explode from opposite sides of the sun in extremely rare event
A pair of linked solar flares recently exploded near-simultaneously from sunspots on different hemispheres of our home star, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.
Monstrous X5 solar flare launched on New Year's Eve could bring auroras to Earth tonight
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.
Live Science's top investigative stories of 2023
In 2023, Live Science reporters took a deeper look into the first Americans, killer whales and the sun's explosive peak.
10 solar storms that blew us away in 2023
The sun has been spitting out more frequent and intense solar storms this year as it approaches solar maximum. Here are some of the biggest.
10 scorching-hot discoveries made about the sun in 2023
From a surprisingly active solar cycle to finding evidence of ancient superflares and solar auroras, here are the most exciting discoveries about the sun made this year.
Monster X-class flare is most powerful solar eruption since 2017, could trigger auroras and major geomagnetic storms
On Dec. 14, a 2.8 magnitude X-class flare exploded from the sun, triggering radio blackouts on Earth and unleashing a CME that could also hit our planet in the next few days. It is the most powerful solar flare in more than six years.
