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Latest about the sun
![Dallas, Texas, will be the biggest city in the path of totality.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YQSAP6YZqfokn2ApyoP6Ka-320-80.jpg)
Total solar eclipse April 2024: The 10 biggest cities within the path of totality
By Jamie Carter published
On April 8, 2024, more than 31 million people in North America will witness a total solar eclipse, around a third of them in just 10 cities.
![Power X5 solar flare.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k9fkVPEZvNq7qJXpUfgwkG-320-80.jpg)
Monstrous X5 solar flare launched on New Year's Eve could bring auroras to Earth tonight
By Brandon Specktor published
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.
![A green comet seen streaking through the night sky with an icy tail dragging behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FNcYac3cdH5jmhdPqSFyx9-320-80.jpg)
The 10 best stargazing events of 2024
By Jamie Carter published
The 2024 stargazing guide includes a rare total solar eclipse, two bright comet flybys and three supermoons. Here are all the dates you need to know.
![A bright flash on the sun as the solar flare explodes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJoXXi4QCJu4gGkughLbSf-320-80.jpg)
10 solar storms that blew us away in 2023
By Harry Baker published
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.
![An artist's illustration of the aurora-like emission from the surface of the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wWnioFodcSiUwVeqmzeczK-320-80.jpg)
10 scorching-hot discoveries made about the sun in 2023
By Harry Baker published
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.
![Young woman shown in silhouette as she's reaching for the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NUB2wmSoGC6kQcD96J2XkE-320-80.jpg)
Can you really be allergic to the sun?
By Anna Gora published
A number of medical conditions can cause an allergic reaction to ultraviolet light from the sun.
![This view of Comet Halley's nucleus was obtained by the Giotto spacecraft as it passed within 600 km of the comet nucleus on March 13, 1986.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vtQyrmGSPR2Y9S2G9iY4Zb-320-80.jpg)
Halley's Comet has begun its return journey to Earth
By Brandon Specktor published
Halley's Comet was predicted to reach its farthest point from the sun on Dec. 9, beginning a 38-year journey toward Earth that culminates in 2061.
![The aurora australis streams across the Earth's atmosphere as the International Space Station orbited 271 miles above the southern Indian Ocean in between Asia and Antarctica.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VVnkVBWuES8ksbipxoUjrT-320-80.jpg)
Solar storm from 1977 reveals how unprepared we are for the next 'big one'
By Stephanie Pappas published
New research finds that solar storms vary in strength over surprisingly short distances, and the current network of sensors may not be enough to properly prepare for future outbursts.
![Artistic rendering of the possible view from LHS 3154b towards its low mass host star. Given its large mass, LHS 3154b probably has a Neptune-like composition.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7hnfBDvQiEnGoHhrhCRgX8-320-80.jpg)
Enormous planet discovered around tiny star could break our understanding of solar system formation
By Joanna Thompson published
The massive planet LHS 3154b orbits a star much smaller than Earth's sun, and its discovery could upend everything we think we know about how solar systems form.
![A picture of the sun with the new solar flare circled](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4wkyuVhjxssqsuUpzgrAM4-320-80.jpg)
'Cannibal' solar explosion likely to hit Earth today, bringing strong geomagnetic storm and widespread auroras
By Harry Baker last updated
A recent solar explosion that almost reached "X-class" status has hurled a massive coronal mass ejection toward Earth, which will likely hit our planet and trigger a geomagnetic storm on Dec. 1.
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