What are X flares? Can they harm us?

X flares on the sun are the most powerful explosions in the solar system. We're likely to see more of them as we approach solar maximum, possibly due this year.

How to photograph a solar eclipse, with Alan Dyer

Get tips on how to photograph a solar eclipse with author and astrophotographer Alan Dyer. Use these tips for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse.

Sun activity archive for January 2024

Sun activity archive for January 2024. A daily record of flaring, big filaments and prominences, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

When our sun dies, what will happen to Earth?

A study suggests our sun is about the lowest mass star that - when it dies - produces a visible, though faint, planetary nebula. What happens when our sun dies.

Sun activity archive for December 2023

Sun activity archive for December 2023. A daily record of flaring, big filaments and prominences, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

Earth’s magnetic field shields us. But it can move and flip

Earth's magnetic field helps protect life on Earth. But the magnetic poles wander, and they flip polarity every 100,000 to 1,000,000 years.

Sun activity archive for November 2023

Sun activity archive for November 2023. A daily record of flaring, big filaments and prominences, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

What was the Carrington Event, and why does it matter?

The Carrington Event of 1859 was a massive geomagnetic storm triggered by an active sun. People saw auroras at low latitudes bright enough to read by.

Solar eclipse photos keep coming, and they’re awesome

Solar eclipse photos from October 14, 2023, still haven't stopped coming in. Here are a few more great ones! Thanks to all who contributed.

Eclipse photos here! Annular solar eclipse October 14, 2023

Check out amazing eclipse photos from the EarthSky community. From the partial phase to annularity to eclipse crescents on the ground, see great moments here!