Solar maximum news, features and articles
Latest about solar maximum
All of Neptune's clouds have mysteriously disappeared, and the sun may be to blame
By Ben Turner published
The disappearance of the gas giant's clouds is tied to the sun's 11-year cycle.
'Cannibal' coronal mass ejection that devoured 'dark eruption' from sun will smash into Earth today (July 18)
By Harry Baker published
Two coronal mass ejections have combined into an enormous cloud of magnetized plasma that is forecast to hit Earth on Tuesday and potentially trigger a weak geomagnetic storm.
Where are the noctilucent clouds we were promised? The sun might be to blame.
By Harry Baker published
Photographers hoping to capture stunning "night-shining" clouds have been left frustrated this year. The fast-approaching solar maximum may be to blame.
Sunspot numbers hit 20-year high, indicating the sun is fast approaching its explosive peak
By Harry Baker published
The number of sunspots in June was higher than any month during the current or previous solar cycles, suggesting the upcoming solar peak will be far more active than initially anticipated.
Giant sunspot grew 10 times wider than Earth in just 48 hours, then spat X-class flare right at us
By Harry Baker published
The enormous dark patch and its powerful eruption are both signs that the solar maximum is fast approaching — and could be more active than expected.
Rare streaks of light above US are a sign that solar maximum is fast approaching
By Harry Baker published
The ethereal aurora-like light show could become a more common sight over the next few years as the sun's activity continues to ramp up.
See the 'monster' sunspot that launched the Carrington Event, the most devastating solar storm in recorded history
By Brandon Specktor published
What did the sun look like before the devastating 1859 Carrington Event? Sketches from astronomer Richard Carrington hold the answer.
Solar maximum could hit us harder and sooner than we thought. How dangerous will the sun's chaotic peak be?
By Harry Baker published
The sun is quickly approaching a major peak in solar activity. Experts warn it could potentially begin by the end of 2023, years before initial predictions suggested.
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