Latest about solar maximum
Sun's chaotic peak triggers record-breaking 'global auroras' on Mars
Mars has had frequent planet-wide auroras in recent months, including an unprecedented trio of events in February. Experts say the sudden increase is the result of the ongoing solar maximum.
4 solar flares simultaneously erupt from the sun in rare 'super' explosion — and Earth could be hit by the fallout
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.
No, you didn't see a solar flare during the total eclipse — but you may have seen something just as special
Several media outlets have incorrectly claimed that explosive solar flares were spotted during the April 8 total solar eclipse. But there were no flares during totality, so what did people see?
The sun is surprisingly quiet right now. What does this mean for the April 8 total solar eclipse?
Despite nearing its most active period, the sun is unusually inactive right now and may not wake up again before the total solar eclipse on Monday (April 8). How will this impact our view of the spectacle?
Powerful X-class solar flare slams Earth, triggering radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean
On March 28, Earth was hit by an X-class solar flare that was strong enough to ionize part of the planet's atmosphere.
Earth hit by radiation from rare 'double' X-class solar flare, triggering most powerful geomagnetic storm in 6 years
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'
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.
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.
