Solar maximum news, features and articles
Solar maximum is the most active phase of the sun's roughly 11-year solar cycle, which occurs when our home star's magnetic field weakens and eventually flips completely.
During this explosive peak, dark sunspots cover the solar surface and spit out more frequent and intense solar flares or coronal mass ejections. If these solar storms hit Earth, they can trigger radio blackouts, interfere with satellites, disrupt ground-based infrastructure and paint widespread auroras across the night sky.
Discover more about the solar maximum:
Latest about solar maximum
We are fast approaching the sun's 'battle zone' — and it could be even worse than solar maximum, experts warn
By Harry Baker published
Space weather experts warn that solar activity will persist or even increase after solar maximum has ended and we enter a phase of the solar cycle dubbed the "battle zone."
Thanksgiving auroras? Solar storm likely to hit Earth on Thursday and Friday, NOAA warns
By Brandon Specktor last updated
An outburst of solar energy looks primed to hit Earth on Thursday, potentially bringing auroras to the northern U.S. on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Solar maximum just knocked 3 satellites out of orbit. Here's why more may be on the way.
By Kyle McMullan published
The Sun's activity is what gives us beautiful auroras — but it also has dramatic negative effects on satellites that go around Earth in a low orbit.
Aurora activity is just getting started. Here's why the best northern lights are yet to come.
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
Discover why the best aurora displays occur after solar maximum, and why 2026-2027 could be the year of the northern lights.
Scientists finally confirm that solar maximum is well underway — and the worst could still be to come
By Harry Baker published
A surprise announcement from scientists involved in monitoring the solar cycle has finally confirmed that the sun's most active and dangerous phase — solar maximum — is already well underway, and could continue for at least a year.
'Severe' solar storm that hit Earth Thursday could be 'global phenomenon' with auroras as far south as California
By Brandon Specktor last updated
A powerful solar outburst hit Earth Thursday, triggering a "severe" geomagnetic storm. Auroras could be visible as far south as California and Alabama, NOAA predicts.
X9 solar flare launched from sun is the biggest in 7 years — and Earth is in the firing line (again)
By Harry Baker published
The sun has unleashed the most powerful solar flare since 2017, just days after it spat out another monster explosion. Both outbursts have launched solar storms that will likely hit Earth this weekend and trigger vibrant aurora displays.
A particularly active 'aurora season' could be just weeks away
By Jamie Carter published
September could be a prime time to see vibrant auroras, thanks to a quirk of Earth's tilt that leads to more intense geomagnetic activity around the equinox.
Sunspots surge to 23-year high as solar maximum continues to intensify far beyond initial expectations
By Harry Baker published
The average number of visible dark patches on the sun's surface in August was higher than any other month since September 2001. The final count was more than twice as high as experts initially predicted it would be.
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