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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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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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Solar Orbiter Sends High-Resolution Images of Sun’s Surface, Unveiling New Details
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft has sent back the sharpest images of the sun’s surface, captured from 74 million kilometres away. These high-resolution images reveal the sun’s dynamic surface features, including granular patterns and sunspots. The spacecraft’s instruments also provided detailed maps of the sun’s magnetic fields, shedding light...
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NASA's Solar Orbiter Captures Highest-Resolution Images Of The Sun To Date
The Solar Orbiter mission has provided the most detailed images yet of the Sun's visible surface, capturing stunning views of sunspots and plasma flows.
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NASA Showcases AI-Powered Computational Tools to Advance Scientific Research at SC24 Event
At SC2024, NASA’s Nicola Fox revealed the agency’s new AI-powered computational tools aimed at improving space science. These tools will be deployed across divisions, including Earth science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. A key example presented was a heliophysics model using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory to predict solar wind and ...
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Sun Erupts with X2.3 Solar Flare, Causes Radio Blackouts
On November 6, 2024, sunspot AR 3883 unleashed a powerful X2.3 solar flare, causing radio blackouts in parts of South America and Africa. The flare, classified as a strong solar event, disrupted high-frequency radio signals. Scientists are awaiting data from NASA’s SOHO spacecraft to assess the potential impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) on...
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Solar Maximum Explained: Current Status and Future Expectations in 2024
Solar maximum is the peak of solar activity in an approximately 11-year cycle. Currently, we are experiencing the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25, which could last until 2026. This phase is characterized by an increase in sunspots and solar flares, impacting Earth through geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communicatio...
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NASA Confirms Solar Maximum as Sun Reaches Peak of Its 11-Year Cycle with Heightened Activity
NASA and NOAA report that the Sun has reached its most active phase in the 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum. This period increases solar storms, affecting satellites, astronauts, and Earth's communication and power systems. While the exact peak won’t be confirmed for months, solar activity is expected to remain high for the next year.
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A Geomagnetic Storm Has Hit Earth. Here's What It Is And What Causes Them
A geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky in parts of the US during the first weekend in October. South Africas National Space Agency (Sansa) told reporters that the storm had originated from a solar flare "that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3
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The Sun Fires Off Another High Intensity X Flare, Triggers Radio Blackouts
On October 7, 2024, sunspot AR 3842 released another powerful X2.1 solar flare, causing significant radio blackouts across North and South America, as well as over the Pacific Ocean. This is the second major flare from AR 3842 after it previously unleashed the most intense solar flare in seven years. Scientists from NOAA are currently analysing dat...
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Earth Braces for Impact as Sun Releases Powerful X-Class Solar Flare
On October 3, the sun emitted its most powerful solar flare of the current cycle, an X9.05 eruption. This flare, originating from the sunspot group AR3842, caused shortwave radio blackouts over Europe and Africa. Additionally, a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to arrive on Earth between October 3 and October 5, potentially enhancing auroras...
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Sunspots Surge to 23-Year High as Solar Maximum Intensifies Beyond Predictions
August saw the highest number of sunspots since September 2001, surpassing forecasts and signalling a more intense solar maximum. The Space Weather Prediction Center had initially predicted a weaker solar cycle, but recent data shows sunspot numbers have far exceeded these predictions, indicating a robust peak in solar activity. This trend could le...
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Scientists Capture First Detailed Images of North Star Polaris’ Surface Revealing Spots
Scientists have unveiled high-resolution images of Polaris, the North Star, for the first time, thanks to the CHARA Array on Mount Wilson. This groundbreaking observation reveals unexpected details on Polaris’ surface, including large bright and dark spots similar to sunspots. The CHARA Array combines data from six telescopes to achieve this leve...
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NASA Might Have Spotted Highest Number of Sunspots in Over 20 Years
On August 8, 2024, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) may have documented a record-breaking number of sunspots in a single day, marking a significant event in Solar Cycle 25. These sunspots, which are dark, cooler areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity, play a crucial role in the Sun's behaviour and have a direct impa...
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Watch: Sun Unleashes Powerful Solar Flare, Disrupts Radio Signals In Australia, Japan
The flare, originating from sunspot AR3738, occurred late Saturday night (July 13) at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 UT on July 14), and was captured in stunning detail by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
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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...
-
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 ...
-
Solar Orbiter Sends High-Resolution Images of Sun’s Surface, Unveiling New Details
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft has sent back the sharpest images of the sun’s surface, captured from 74 million kilometres away. These high-resolution images reveal the sun’s dynamic surface features, including granular patterns and sunspots. The spacecraft’s instruments also provided detailed maps of the sun’s magnetic fields, shedding light...
-
NASA's Solar Orbiter Captures Highest-Resolution Images Of The Sun To Date
The Solar Orbiter mission has provided the most detailed images yet of the Sun's visible surface, capturing stunning views of sunspots and plasma flows.
-
NASA Showcases AI-Powered Computational Tools to Advance Scientific Research at SC24 Event
At SC2024, NASA’s Nicola Fox revealed the agency’s new AI-powered computational tools aimed at improving space science. These tools will be deployed across divisions, including Earth science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. A key example presented was a heliophysics model using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory to predict solar wind and ...
-
Sun Erupts with X2.3 Solar Flare, Causes Radio Blackouts
On November 6, 2024, sunspot AR 3883 unleashed a powerful X2.3 solar flare, causing radio blackouts in parts of South America and Africa. The flare, classified as a strong solar event, disrupted high-frequency radio signals. Scientists are awaiting data from NASA’s SOHO spacecraft to assess the potential impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) on...
-
Solar Maximum Explained: Current Status and Future Expectations in 2024
Solar maximum is the peak of solar activity in an approximately 11-year cycle. Currently, we are experiencing the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25, which could last until 2026. This phase is characterized by an increase in sunspots and solar flares, impacting Earth through geomagnetic storms that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communicatio...
-
NASA Confirms Solar Maximum as Sun Reaches Peak of Its 11-Year Cycle with Heightened Activity
NASA and NOAA report that the Sun has reached its most active phase in the 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum. This period increases solar storms, affecting satellites, astronauts, and Earth's communication and power systems. While the exact peak won’t be confirmed for months, solar activity is expected to remain high for the next year.
-
A Geomagnetic Storm Has Hit Earth. Here's What It Is And What Causes Them
A geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky in parts of the US during the first weekend in October. South Africas National Space Agency (Sansa) told reporters that the storm had originated from a solar flare "that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3
-
The Sun Fires Off Another High Intensity X Flare, Triggers Radio Blackouts
On October 7, 2024, sunspot AR 3842 released another powerful X2.1 solar flare, causing significant radio blackouts across North and South America, as well as over the Pacific Ocean. This is the second major flare from AR 3842 after it previously unleashed the most intense solar flare in seven years. Scientists from NOAA are currently analysing dat...
-
Earth Braces for Impact as Sun Releases Powerful X-Class Solar Flare
On October 3, the sun emitted its most powerful solar flare of the current cycle, an X9.05 eruption. This flare, originating from the sunspot group AR3842, caused shortwave radio blackouts over Europe and Africa. Additionally, a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to arrive on Earth between October 3 and October 5, potentially enhancing auroras...
-
Sunspots Surge to 23-Year High as Solar Maximum Intensifies Beyond Predictions
August saw the highest number of sunspots since September 2001, surpassing forecasts and signalling a more intense solar maximum. The Space Weather Prediction Center had initially predicted a weaker solar cycle, but recent data shows sunspot numbers have far exceeded these predictions, indicating a robust peak in solar activity. This trend could le...
-
Scientists Capture First Detailed Images of North Star Polaris’ Surface Revealing Spots
Scientists have unveiled high-resolution images of Polaris, the North Star, for the first time, thanks to the CHARA Array on Mount Wilson. This groundbreaking observation reveals unexpected details on Polaris’ surface, including large bright and dark spots similar to sunspots. The CHARA Array combines data from six telescopes to achieve this leve...
-
NASA Might Have Spotted Highest Number of Sunspots in Over 20 Years
On August 8, 2024, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) may have documented a record-breaking number of sunspots in a single day, marking a significant event in Solar Cycle 25. These sunspots, which are dark, cooler areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity, play a crucial role in the Sun's behaviour and have a direct impa...
-
Watch: Sun Unleashes Powerful Solar Flare, Disrupts Radio Signals In Australia, Japan
The flare, originating from sunspot AR3738, occurred late Saturday night (July 13) at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 UT on July 14), and was captured in stunning detail by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
