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![A photograph of the 2017 total solar eclipse, taken at the Oregon State Fair Grounds, Salem, Ore.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z5fTbcNWnTVY58skcrZVWK-320-80.jpg)
How total solar eclipses help us measure ancient history
By Sarah Sadavoy published
Total solar eclipses, like the upcoming one on April 8, occur on reliable schedules that we can calculate far into the past. This information helps researchers date mysterious events from ancient history.
![Looped video footage of a massive plasma eruption coming from the sun's far side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HBwLQEjHr7nsWcxAyMXT5S-320-80.gif)
Mercury slammed by gargantuan eruption from the sun's hidden far side, possibly triggering 'X-ray auroras'
By Harry Baker published
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.
![View of a coronal mass ejection billowing away from the Sun in GIF format.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FFGvdmaLfkmq2ASZNeNTBU-320-80.gif)
Widespread solar storm struck spacecraft near the sun, Earth and Mars in quick succession
By Meredith Garofalo published
In 2021, a solar storm was recorded by multiple different spacecraft and the results tell quite the story.
![A tapir wears a pair of eclipse glasses on its head at the Zoo de Lille in France during a total solar eclipse on Aug. 11, 1999](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/67eFgYN7BoTFsbReyFLxce-320-80.jpg)
April 8 solar eclipse: 6 zoos on the path of totality — and why animals react strangely to 'nighttime during the day'
By Jamie Carter published
Total solar eclipses make animals behave in strange ways. To see for yourself, stop by one of these zoos located on the path of totality on April 8, 2024.
![A close up image of the sun's surface with added magnetic field lines](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7jayXJqMFEKziWvnBA8eMF-320-80.jpg)
Solar maximum may already be upon us, expert warns — but we won't know for sure until the sun's explosive peak is over
By Harry Baker published
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.
![A star in the Lizard constellation appears to be dragging a trail of stardust behind it.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YoSyESeFasNoYZmWq3VevP-320-80.jpg)
Passing stars may have changed Earth's orbit and climate, study finds
By Abha Jain published
Passing stars may have altered Earth's orbit, and its climate, many times throughout cosmic history. New research digs into what that means when it comes to understanding our planet's past.
![A giant sunspot on the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6RqkZDnuhoxpG27dDeU6j4-320-80.jpg)
Gargantuan sunspot that spit out the strongest solar flare in 6 years is now pointing 'almost directly' at Earth
By Harry Baker published
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.
![An ultraviolet image of the sun showing a massive explosion on its surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pPv6o6QTGHrJWQRYzLqX4T-320-80.jpg)
3rd X-class solar flare in 24 hours is the most powerful for 6 years — and it may not be the last
By Harry Baker published
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.
![An X1.8-class solar flare spotted by NASA's NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Feb. 21](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y72XeHEeKduDuhWhKt8n6F-320-80.jpg)
Are solar flares responsible for the AT&T service outage? Not likely, experts say.
By Ben Turner published
Two X-class solar flares arrived at Earth last night and early this morning. The radiation bursts coincided with massive cellphone service outages across the U.S., but experts urge that the events may not be related.
![A large plume of plasma stick out from the sun's south pole](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zkdmQQZrjni7CutTRzt6u9-320-80.jpg)
'A wonderful spectacle': Photographer snaps rare solar eruption as 'magnetic noose' strangles the sun's south pole
By Harry Baker published
A recent solar flare unleashed a massive plasma plume from the sun's south pole, where these stellar eruptions rarely happen. The unusual phenomenon is a sign of the impending solar maximum.
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