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The sun is the beating heart of our solar system and supports all life on Earth. At Live Science, you can learn more about this precious star as it reaches a major peak in solar activity called a solar maximum. Whether it's the dazzling "shooting stars" discovered in the sun's atmosphere, a massive solar explosion felt on Earth, the most devastating solar storm in recorded history, or just spectacular images of the sun, our expert writers and editors will have you in awe of that bright ball in the sky with the latest sun news, features and articles.
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—The sun: Facts about the bright star at the center of the solar system
Latest about The Sun
How to see 2 total solar eclipses in the next 2 years — including the 'eclipse of the century'
After a two-year gap, there will be two total solar eclipses within 12 months of each other, on Aug. 12, 2026, and Aug. 2, 2027.
Stunning time-lapse video captured using 'artificial eclipse' shows 3 massive eruptions on the sun
ESA's Proba-3 mission, made up of twin spacecraft capable of aligning to create artificial eclipses, has captured "rare" footage of three solar prominences erupting from the sun's mysteriously hot atmosphere.
Earth hit by biggest 'solar radiation storm' in 23 years, triggering Northern Lights as far as Southern California
Earth's magnetic field was struck by a "severe" solar storm Monday (Jan. 19), triggering vibrant auroras in the U.S. and large parts of Europe. The storm broke a record that had stood for more than two decades.
Giant sunspot that triggered recent solar 'superstorm' shot out nearly 1,000 flares and a secret X-rated explosion, record-breaking study reveals
The massive sunspot that sparked an "extreme" geomagnetic storm in May 2024 unleashed hundreds of other dangerous solar flares, including a hidden X-class outburst, a new paper reveals. The study sets a record for the longest continuous observation of a single active region on our home star.
Is the sun really a dwarf star?
Our sun is huge, at least compared to Earth and the other planets. So is it really a dwarf?
Giant sunspot on par with the one that birthed the Carrington Event has appeared on the sun — and it's pointed right at Earth
A massive new sunspot complex, dubbed AR 4294-4296, has emerged on the sun and is facing directly at Earth. The dark patch is on par with the infamous sunspot that birthed the 1859 Carrington Event — but, for now, it's staying quiet.
Astrophotographer snaps 'absolutely preposterous' photo of skydiver 'falling' past the sun's surface
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy has snapped a striking shot of a skydiving YouTuber perfectly aligned with the fiery surface of the sun. The unlikely image, dubbed "The Fall of Icarus," required meticulous planning to pull off.
'Severe' solar storm brings auroras as far south as Florida — and more are on the way tonight
The most powerful solar flare of 2025 has launched a ball of energy toward Earth that could trigger widespread auroras across the United States tonight.
The next Carrington-level solar superstorm could wipe out 'all our satellites,' new simulations reveal
New ESA simulations suggest that a solar storm on par with the 1859 Carrington Event could wreak havoc on Earth-orbiting satellites — and it is a question of "when," not "if" this will happen, experts say.
