Latest about solar maximum
Powerful X-class solar flare slams Earth, triggering radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean
On March 28, Earth was hit by an X-class solar flare that was strong enough to ionize part of the planet's atmosphere.
Earth hit by radiation from rare 'double' X-class solar flare, triggering most powerful geomagnetic storm in 6 years
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.
Mercury slammed by gargantuan eruption from the sun's hidden far side, possibly triggering 'X-ray auroras'
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.
Solar maximum may already be upon us, expert warns — but we won't know for sure until the sun's explosive peak is over
A solar physicist who accurately predicted that the sun's explosive peak would arrive sooner — and be more powerful — than originally forecast tells Live Science that it may have already begun. However, we won't know for sure until long after it has finished.
Exploding, green 'devil comet' could photobomb April 8 total solar eclipse — and it might be visible with the naked eye
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as the "devil comet," will be positioned close to the sun during the April 8 total solar eclipse. Some photographers also predict that the volcanic comet may be visible to the naked eye, especially if it blows its top before the big event.
Gargantuan sunspot that spit out the strongest solar flare in 6 years is now pointing 'almost directly' at Earth
Sunspot AR3590, which recently spit out three X-class solar flares in under 24 hours, has grown even larger and is now pointed almost directly at Earth, putting us in the crosshairs of more potential eruptions.
3rd X-class solar flare in 24 hours is the most powerful for 6 years — and it may not be the last
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.
Near-simultaneous solar flares explode from opposite sides of the sun in extremely rare event
A pair of linked solar flares recently exploded near-simultaneously from sunspots on different hemispheres of our home star, triggering radio blackouts on Earth.
