Solar flare
Latest about Solar flare
![A photo of a bright pinkish-red aurora in China](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cMsXzLptFUGzriTm7vWMWX-320-80.jpg)
Auroras could paint Earth's skies again in early June. Here are the key nights to watch for.
By Jamie Carter published
The monster sunspot responsible for May's vibrant auroras will be facing Earth again in a matter of days, and it still appears to be active. Here's when to be alert for the next display of northern lights on the nights close to June's new moon.
![Faint loops of plasma on the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MYwFbwQxeSZ2j6YkX5ZGHZ-320-80.jpg)
Scientists discover the possible origin of the sun's magnetic field, and it's not where they thought it was
By Ben Turner published
New simulations suggest that the origins of the sun's explosive storms could lie much closer to its surface than first thought.
![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.
![An image of a solar flare captured by a telescope.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TCJkVgbBruCuNvMshEsRXk-320-80.png)
Powerful X-class solar flare slams Earth, triggering radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
On March 28, Earth was hit by an X-class solar flare that was strong enough to ionize part of the planet's atmosphere.
![An illustration of a coronal mass ejection blasting out of the sun toward Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r6UvoGpfDM9icmP2TQvv6j-320-80.jpg)
What if the Carrington Event, the largest solar storm ever recorded, happened today?
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
If a solar storm as big as the Carrington Event struck today, it could lead to years long power outages.
![Looped video footage of a CME launching into space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KUj69U9wyQdQPez4zaD57k-320-80.gif)
Earth hit by radiation from rare 'double' X-class solar flare, triggering most powerful geomagnetic storm in 6 years
By Harry Baker published
A recent X-class flare, which was split into two simultaneous explosions, launched a coronal mass ejection that smashed into Earth, triggering the most powerful disruption to our planet's magnetic field for more than six years.
![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.
![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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