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![April 8's total solar eclipse is inextricably linked to one in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada on March 7, 1970, seen here..](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dFK5XB66sQ4Vze4SSyVmMQ-320-80.jpg)
April 8 total solar eclipse: Why this eclipse repeats itself every 54 years
By Jamie Carter published
The total solar eclipse on April 8 is part of a repeating pattern of eclipses that last visited North America in 1970. Here’s why the same eclipse repeats every 54 years.
![Massive X3.4-class solar flare.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5e392MvC4pwzyQSYPbSr6S-320-80.jpg)
Watch the 1st X-class solar flare of 2024 erupt from the sun in explosive fashion
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
An X-class flare, the most powerful type of solar flare, erupted from the sun on Feb. 9, 2024. Lucky for us, Earth wasn't in the direct firing line.
![The path of the moon's shadow during the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kAJM3nTqKyFgSAwpN527sf-320-80.jpg)
April 8 solar eclipse: What is the path of totality, and where's the best spot to watch?
By Jamie Carter published
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible in 15 U.S. states that sit along the path of totality. But how does the path of totality work, and where's the best viewing spot? Here's everything you need to know.
![Faint loops of plasma on the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MYwFbwQxeSZ2j6YkX5ZGHZ-320-80.jpg)
Photos: Ghostly plasma loops linger on the sun after massive solar explosion
By Harry Baker published
A photographer recently snapped an incredibly detailed photo of gigantic, ghostly plasma loops towering above the sun's fiery surface after a powerful solar flare exploded from the sun.
![Proba-2 partial eclipse.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XPWbGDCSY49Vm3FrpJH7yh-320-80.jpg)
What's the longest solar eclipse in history? (And how does the April 2024 total eclipse compare?)
By Jamie Carter published
The exact same celestial geometry that will cause a total solar eclipse in North America on April 8 will produce the longest one ever, but not for another 162 years.
![A pair of spacecraft orbiting Earth with the sun in background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/arzFCmRoVdCYD6an2oTt8d-320-80.jpg)
1st-of-its-kind European spacecraft duo will create mini eclipses in space, transforming how we study the sun
By Harry Baker published
Later this year, the European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission will send two spacecraft into orbit around Earth. By aligning the probes, researchers will create 6-hour-long mini eclipses, allowing the sun's atmosphere to be studied like never before.
![Looped video footage of a green flash coming from Venus in the night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yvqgrGmWWiL6uCyPW52PnF-320-80.gif)
Photographer snaps extremely rare 'green flash' coming from Venus
By Harry Baker published
A brief flash of green light was recently spotted coming from Venus in the night sky. The colorful shimmer has only been seen a handful of times before.
![Looped video footage of two solar flares exploding from different parts f the sun at the same time](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vZikQE9tdCyFGu2KUq6954-320-80.gif)
Near-simultaneous solar flares explode from opposite sides of the sun in extremely rare event
By Harry Baker published
A pair of linked solar flares recently exploded near-simultaneously from sunspots on different hemispheres of our home star, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.
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