13
May
Sun unleashes strongest solar flare of the year
The solar flare erupted from an active sunspot on the far side of the sun, so it was not directly facing Earth when it unleashed a wave of super-hot plasma.
13
May
Sun unleashes strongest solar flare of the year
The solar flare erupted from an active sunspot on the far side of the sun, so it was not directly facing Earth when it unleashed a wave of super-hot plasma.
30
Nov
Ancient tree rings might be proof of worst solar storm in history
Scientists have predicted that a gargantuan solar flare caused a shower of plasma on Earth, which would be the worst solar storm in history.
23
Oct
Photo of the day: Solar flares blur the lines between science and art
Scientists and artists have more in common than one might think. Many techniques used by artists are just as indispensable for scientists, who use breathtaking images of the natural world to engage the public in learning about science. One example of a technique used by scientists is the gradient filter in a photo editing program. The gradient filter is used to enhance places of contrast in an image.
When a gradient filter is applied to the sun, such as in the photo above, scientists are able to better identify instances of coronal loops, which are massive arcs of solar material that follow a specific path in the sun’s magnetic field.
11
Oct
Photo of the day: Breathtaking glow of auroras, city lights captured by NASA
Just 3 days after a coronal mass ejection erupted from the sun, a NASA satellite captures a view of the resulting auroral waves rolling across Canada’s Quebec and Ontario provinces in the early morning of Oct. 8. These breathtaking auroras occur when a CME puts solar energy particles on a collision course with the Earth’s magnetic field.
09
Oct
Solar eruption may boost northern lights display tonight
The collection of solar particles will land a ‘glancing blow’ on the Earth’s atmosphere.
05
Jul
Solar flares mark Fourth of July with celestial display
The sun unleashed multiple medium-class solar flares from its 100,000 kilometer long sunspot.
17
May
Stars release ‘superflares’ that put our sun’s eruptions to shame
Heavy magnetic activity and a rapid spinning motion likely cause these stars to give off their intense bursts of energy.
