The Sun
Latest about The Sun
![A composite image of the May 14 solar flare taken by the GOES-16 satellite (left) and NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory (right)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JvXw9o9yrG9xdU4mTytSL3-320-80.jpg)
Sun launches strongest solar flare of current cycle in monster X8.7-class eruption
By Brandon Specktor published
The strongest solar flare in half a decade just launched off the sun from the same sunspot group that triggered dazzling auroras last weekend. But don't expect northern lights this time around.
![Aurora in the night sky of Queenstown, New Zealand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HXaZYMwHVdT7cJiZujwTff-320-80.jpg)
Why are auroras different colors?
By Timothy Schmidt published
Auroras occur when charged solar particles bash into Earth's magnetic field and funnel toward the poles. The types of atoms these particles hit determines the color of light emitted.
![Purple and blue auroras in the night sky above clouds and a mountain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Kt2fMVMZ4kuRYTez4hGHKN-320-80.jpg)
'Extreme' geomagnetic storm that painted Earth with auroras this weekend was the most powerful in 21 years
By Harry Baker published
Between Friday (May 10) and Sunday (May 12), people across the world were treated to stunning aurora displays as Earth's magnetic field experienced its biggest disturbance since October 2003. The supercharged storm also messed with satellites and caused power grid irregularities.
![A bright flash on the sun showing where a solar flare erupted](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r7Z5crcz3j7PS26kHDvGSn-320-80.jpg)
'Severe' geomagnetic storm will bring widespread auroras this weekend after gigantic sunspot spits out 5 solar storms
By Harry Baker published
Space weather experts warn that Earth could experience one of its worst geomagnetic storms in years after a gigantic, frenzied sunspot released five back-to-back solar storms directly at our planet. The explosive event could trigger vibrant auroras across large parts of North America.
![Solar flare with the location of it on the sun in an illustration.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JAHUygHQLvDGGs5ELDwk7d-320-80.jpg)
Gargantuan sunspot 15-Earths wide shoots powerful X-class flare toward Earth, triggering radio blackouts
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
A sunspot so big it rivals the gigantic sunspot responsible for the Carrington Event in 1859 has unleashed another X-class solar flare, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.
![A golden landscape of the sun's surface, featuring looping towers of plasma](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UFHvautWcxQYo4wcutX3C-320-80.jpg)
Space photo of the week: A planet-size explosion rocks the sun's 'mossy' corona
By Brandon Specktor published
Coronal moss grows, solar rain falls and plasma eruptions rear their gargantuan heads in this fiery landscape of the sun's outer atmosphere, taken by ESA's Solar Orbiter.
![A satellite image of the US in black and white with the moon's shadow paths making a cross.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qAMmeUqVBpE2bnn9kGSZCk-320-80.jpg)
Eclipse from space: Paths of 2024 and 2017 eclipses collide over US in new satellite image
By Samantha Mathewson published
Satellite images capture striking differences between the 2017 and 2024 total solar eclipses that swept across North America, including variations in the moon's shadow along the path of totality.
![An image of the sun with four areas circled](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q8uB3gAK2Q4CdvNragRvyP-320-80.jpg)
4 solar flares simultaneously erupt from the sun in rare 'super' explosion — and Earth could be hit by the fallout
By Harry Baker published
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.
![Looped video footage of a large shadow moving across North America](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GMJVbMSMXYmw4i7rXPifbD-320-80.gif)
Global 'time signals' subtly shifted as the total solar eclipse reshaped Earth's upper atmosphere, new data shows
By Harry Baker published
During the historic April 8 total solar eclipse, a government radio station in Colorado started sending out slightly shifted "time signals" to millions of people across the globe as the moon's shadow altered the upper layers of our atmosphere. However, these altered signals did not actually change the time.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.