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Massive 500,000-Mile Coronal Hole on the Sun Blasts Solar Wind Toward Earth
A gigantic coronal hole, spanning 500,000 miles, has formed on the sun’s surface, allowing solar wind to escape at speeds of over 310 miles per second. Forecasts indicate that this solar wind may reach Earth by January 31, triggering a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. While no severe impact is expected, the storm could enhance auroras at higher lati...
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Solar Storm Forecast to Trigger Northern Lights in Upper Midwest
A solar storm from a coronal mass ejection (CME) is set to strike Earth, bringing a minor geomagnetic storm to northern and upper Midwest states between January 24-25. Experts predict visible auroras across areas like Michigan and Maine, sparking excitement among aurora chasers. The storm, rated G1, could peak at Kp 5.33, with auroras expected to b...
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SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy
SpaceX achieved its 400th orbital-class rocket landing with Falcon 9 leading the charge. The company’s focus on reusable technology has reshaped space exploration, with Falcon Heavy contributing through multi-booster landings. Starship development also continues, aiming to support human missions to the moon and Mars. This milestone underlines Spa...
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Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
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Study Finds Coronal Loop Flickers Could Predict Solar Flares Hours in Advance
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has revealed a potential breakthrough in predicting solar flares. Scientists observed brightness fluctuations in coronal loops—plasma structures in the Sun's atmosphere—that intensify hours before solar flares occur. This discovery, with a prediction accuracy of 60–80%, may provide 2–6 hours of advance warn...
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ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights
The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with NASA, has used data from the Solar Orbiter mission to convert solar flares into audible sound. By mapping solar flare data into blue circles and pairing them with tones, a new way to experience solar activity has been created. This process is linked to the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, with curr...
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AI Enhances Northern Lights Classification and Geomagnetic Storm Forecasting
A breakthrough in auroral research, powered by artificial intelligence, has allowed scientists to classify over 700 million auroral images. This effort, using NASA's THEMIS dataset, will significantly enhance the prediction of geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt Earth's communication and security systems. Led by the University of New Hampshire, t...
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NASA's LEXI Mission Will Explore Earth’s Magnetic Shield from the Moon
NASA is preparing for the launch of the Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, scheduled for January 15. The mission will observe Earth’s magnetosphere, capturing X-ray images that reveal how the planet's magnetic shield reacts to solar wind. This project could improve predictions of geoma...
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Solar Missions in 2025: Heliophysics Projects and Spacecrafts That Will Study the Sun
The study of the sun, its activity, and effects across the solar system will advance in 2025. With Solar Cycle 25 peaking, six NASA missions planned, and new research priorities outlined, scientists are poised to address long-standing questions about solar dynamics and their impacts. Missions such as IMAP, ESCAPADE, and PUNCH will investigate solar...
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Solar Storm Sparks Northern Lights Across Western Hemisphere on New Year's Eve
Solar storms on New Year’s Eve sparked breathtaking auroras across the US and Europe, with vibrant displays visible as far south as California, Austria, and Germany. Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) struck Earth’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms that reached G3 levels on January 1.
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Massive Solar Flare Closes 2024 With Radio Blackouts and Auroral Possibilities
An X1.1-class solar flare on December 29, 2024, caused strong radio blackouts on Earth, marking another significant event in the increasingly active Solar Cycle 25. Detected by NOAA's GOES-16 satellite, the eruption raises questions about a potential coronal mass ejection, which could amplify auroras during New Year celebrations. While impactful, t...
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Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
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Study Explores Sun’s Magnetic Field Changes and Solar Wind Acceleration
A study published in The Astrophysical Journal has shed light on how the Sun’s magnetic field influences solar wind acceleration. Using data from the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, researchers observed that sharp magnetic switchbacks smooth out into gentler waves as they travel further from the Sun. This relaxation process transfers magnet...
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Aditya-L1 Records Coronal Mass Ejection, Reveals New Details on Solar Plasma Movement and Magnetic Activity
Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, observed a Coronal Mass Ejection on July 16, 2024. Researchers found that the event caused significant coronal dimming, increased turbulence, and solar plasma deflection due to magnetic fields. These insights, derived from VELC measurements, deepen our understanding of solar activity and its space weather i...
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X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa
A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot region 3912 on December 8, disrupting high-frequency radio communications in southern Africa. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, absorbing radio signals and causing blackouts in areas exposed to peak solar activity. Experts predict the CME ...
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Massive 500,000-Mile Coronal Hole on the Sun Blasts Solar Wind Toward Earth
A gigantic coronal hole, spanning 500,000 miles, has formed on the sun’s surface, allowing solar wind to escape at speeds of over 310 miles per second. Forecasts indicate that this solar wind may reach Earth by January 31, triggering a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm. While no severe impact is expected, the storm could enhance auroras at higher lati...
-
Solar Storm Forecast to Trigger Northern Lights in Upper Midwest
A solar storm from a coronal mass ejection (CME) is set to strike Earth, bringing a minor geomagnetic storm to northern and upper Midwest states between January 24-25. Experts predict visible auroras across areas like Michigan and Maine, sparking excitement among aurora chasers. The storm, rated G1, could peak at Kp 5.33, with auroras expected to b...
-
SpaceX Achieves 400 Orbital Rocket Landings with Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy
SpaceX achieved its 400th orbital-class rocket landing with Falcon 9 leading the charge. The company’s focus on reusable technology has reshaped space exploration, with Falcon Heavy contributing through multi-booster landings. Starship development also continues, aiming to support human missions to the moon and Mars. This milestone underlines Spa...
-
Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
-
Study Finds Coronal Loop Flickers Could Predict Solar Flares Hours in Advance
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has revealed a potential breakthrough in predicting solar flares. Scientists observed brightness fluctuations in coronal loops—plasma structures in the Sun's atmosphere—that intensify hours before solar flares occur. This discovery, with a prediction accuracy of 60–80%, may provide 2–6 hours of advance warn...
-
ESA Uses Solar Orbiter to Turn Solar Flares into Sound, Offering New Insights
The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with NASA, has used data from the Solar Orbiter mission to convert solar flares into audible sound. By mapping solar flare data into blue circles and pairing them with tones, a new way to experience solar activity has been created. This process is linked to the sun’s 11-year solar cycle, with curr...
-
AI Enhances Northern Lights Classification and Geomagnetic Storm Forecasting
A breakthrough in auroral research, powered by artificial intelligence, has allowed scientists to classify over 700 million auroral images. This effort, using NASA's THEMIS dataset, will significantly enhance the prediction of geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt Earth's communication and security systems. Led by the University of New Hampshire, t...
-
NASA's LEXI Mission Will Explore Earth’s Magnetic Shield from the Moon
NASA is preparing for the launch of the Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, scheduled for January 15. The mission will observe Earth’s magnetosphere, capturing X-ray images that reveal how the planet's magnetic shield reacts to solar wind. This project could improve predictions of geoma...
-
Solar Missions in 2025: Heliophysics Projects and Spacecrafts That Will Study the Sun
The study of the sun, its activity, and effects across the solar system will advance in 2025. With Solar Cycle 25 peaking, six NASA missions planned, and new research priorities outlined, scientists are poised to address long-standing questions about solar dynamics and their impacts. Missions such as IMAP, ESCAPADE, and PUNCH will investigate solar...
-
Solar Storm Sparks Northern Lights Across Western Hemisphere on New Year's Eve
Solar storms on New Year’s Eve sparked breathtaking auroras across the US and Europe, with vibrant displays visible as far south as California, Austria, and Germany. Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) struck Earth’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms that reached G3 levels on January 1.
-
Massive Solar Flare Closes 2024 With Radio Blackouts and Auroral Possibilities
An X1.1-class solar flare on December 29, 2024, caused strong radio blackouts on Earth, marking another significant event in the increasingly active Solar Cycle 25. Detected by NOAA's GOES-16 satellite, the eruption raises questions about a potential coronal mass ejection, which could amplify auroras during New Year celebrations. While impactful, t...
-
Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
-
Study Explores Sun’s Magnetic Field Changes and Solar Wind Acceleration
A study published in The Astrophysical Journal has shed light on how the Sun’s magnetic field influences solar wind acceleration. Using data from the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter, researchers observed that sharp magnetic switchbacks smooth out into gentler waves as they travel further from the Sun. This relaxation process transfers magnet...
-
Aditya-L1 Records Coronal Mass Ejection, Reveals New Details on Solar Plasma Movement and Magnetic Activity
Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, observed a Coronal Mass Ejection on July 16, 2024. Researchers found that the event caused significant coronal dimming, increased turbulence, and solar plasma deflection due to magnetic fields. These insights, derived from VELC measurements, deepen our understanding of solar activity and its space weather i...
-
X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa
A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot region 3912 on December 8, disrupting high-frequency radio communications in southern Africa. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, absorbing radio signals and causing blackouts in areas exposed to peak solar activity. Experts predict the CME ...
