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The Summary NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is expected to dive extremely close to the solar surface on Dec. 24. The mission was designed to study the sun’s outer atmosphere and help researchers learn about how solar storms erupt into space. The agency’s Parker Solar Probe is days away from making its closest-ever approach to the sun on Tuesday, swooping nearer to our star than any other human-made object in history. As the Parker Solar Probe swoops close to the sun, it will likely fly through plumes of solar plasma and could even dive into active regions of the star, Korreck said. This busy phase, which is typically characterized by a flurry of solar storms and high magnetic activity, is known as the solar maximum.

Persons: Parker, ”, Kelly Korreck, Korreck, “, we’ll, Eugene Parker Organizations: NASA, Probe, University of Chicago, Venus Locations: heliophysics

Next month, NASA will get an up-close view of the solar activity as the Parker Solar Probe makes its closest-ever approach to the sun. The active period is likely to continue over the next year, which means more solar storms and spectacular auroras could be in store. “This is definitely the season for big solar storms,” said Kelly Korreck, a program scientist in the heliophysics division at NASA. The Parker Solar Probe in a clean room in Titusville, Fla., in 2018, after the installation of its heat shield. In some sunspot areas, the magnetic field can be about 2,500 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field, according to NASA.

Persons: Parker, ”, Kelly Korreck, “, auroras, Leon Neal, ” Korreck, Johns Hopkins, Ed Whitman, Korreck, —, skywatchers, Jacob Anderson, Michael Chow Organizations: NASA, Probe, Parker, Venus, Solar Dynamics, of, Getty, USA Locations: Kiruna, Sweden, American, Titusville, Fla, Texas, Alabama, of Scotland, Edinburgh, AFP, Phoenix

☆ The sun is at its 11-year maximum. That means another year of eruptions that can endanger satellites, ground flights, and spark stunning auroras.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

NASA says the sun is in the highly active "maximum phase" of its 11-year solar cycle. That means there will probably be big solar storms bringing beautiful aurora in the next year or so. Solar eruptions can also disrupt GPS, delay flights, and even knock out power grids. NASA announced Tuesday that the sun is in the "maximum phase" of its 11-year solar cycle, which basically means it's hyperactive. National Weather Service in Shreveport, LABut solar eruptions can also endanger satellites, astronauts, and even power grids here on Earth.

Persons: —, Kelly Korreck, Morgan McFall, Johnsen, Elsayed Talaat, Bill Murtagh, Murtagh, Lisa Upton, they'd, it's, Upton Organizations: NASA, Service, National Weather Service, NASA's, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Prediction Locations: Arizona, California, Shreveport , Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, NASA's Heliophysics, Sweden, Arkansas, San Francisco

☆ Earth is bracing for a 'severe' geomagnetic storm and it probably won't be the last for this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

NOAA has forecasted a "severe" geomagnetic storm to hit Earth this Friday, triggering aurora borealis. This storm comes as we approach solar maximum: the peak of solar activity during the sun's 11-year cycle. As a result, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare forecast for a "severe" G4 geomagnetic storm to hit Earth this Friday. NASADuring solar maximum, the sun develops more and larger sunspots, like the ones in region 3664, compared to quieter periods of solar activity. Severe geomagnetic storms like the one forecasted to hit this Friday are rare.

Persons: —, It's, Alex Young, NASA Goddard's, Young, Lance King Organizations: NOAA, Service, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NASA, NASA Goddard's Heliophysics, Getty Locations: Alaska, Northern

☆ The first severe solar storm in 20 years could spark aurora across the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFor the first time in 20 years, NOAA has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm warning. NOAAAnd in the last 24 hours, AR3664 spit out four coronal mass ejections that are now hurtling toward Earth at roughly 560 miles per second, Owens told BI. Even states including Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, could catch a glimpse of the aurora low on the horizon, Young told BI. The reality is that we just won't know how bright, active, and wide-reaching the aurora will be until the coronal mass ejections reach Earth's atmosphere. The most extreme estimate of aurora and where they can be seen in the US came from Alex Young.

Persons: —, G4s, They've, Matt Owens, Alex Young, NASA Goddard's, Owens, AR3664, Space.com, Young, they'll, Andrew Gerrard Organizations: Service, NOAA, University of Reading, NASA, NASA Goddard's Heliophysics, Business, Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Earth, New Jersey Institute of Tech Locations: Montana , North Dakota , Minnesota , Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland , New York, Pennsylvania

☆ A 'severe' geomagnetic storm is forecast for Earth for the first time in years — here's what to know about these storms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFor the first time in nearly 20 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted a "severe" G4 geomagnetic storm to hit this Friday, dazzling states across the northern US with aurora. G4 storms are the second-strongest type of geomagnetic storm. "If geomagnetic storms were hurricanes, 'severe' would be category 4," according to SpaceWeather.com. Solar storms happen when the sun shoots powerful explosions of highly-energized and magnetic plasma called coronal mass ejections toward Earth. Also, a severe storm might disrupt GPS, so it's best to have a written record and directions to important locations, like hospitals.

Persons: —, Matt Owens, Owens, George Lepp, Alex Young, NASA Goddard's, it's, Young Organizations: Service, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Business, University of Reading, NASA, NOAA, Northern, NASA Goddard's Heliophysics Locations: Sweden, South Africa, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania

☆ 2024 is a big year for the sun. This Helio year, see a total eclipse, solar storms, and NASA almost landing on our star.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The sun has a big year in 2024, starting with a total solar eclipse across the US. NASA's Parker Solar Probe will fly closer to the sun than any spacecraft ever, almost landing on it. One of the main events this year will be a historically cool total solar eclipse crossing the US in April. AdvertisementIn a total solar eclipse, the moon passes in front of the sun as seen from Earth, darkening the sky. For example, NASA is launching three rockets during the April total solar eclipse, loaded with instruments to study how the sudden darkness changes our upper atmosphere.

Persons: NASA's Parker, —, It's, Rodrigo Garrido, Rune Stoltz Bertinussen, Kelly Korreck, Connie Moore, NASA's, Nour Raouafi, Johns Hopkins, Steve Gribben, Raouafi, That's Organizations: Probe, Service, American Geophysical Union, Reuters, NASA, Parker Locations: San Francisco, Northern, Arizona, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Tromso, Norway

☆ How to watch the ‘ring of fire’ eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —On Saturday, a celestial spectacle will occur over North, Central and South America as an annular solar eclipse creates a “ring of fire” in the sky. The annular solar eclipse will begin in the United States at 9:13 a.m. PT (12:13 p.m. To view the annular eclipse safely, wear certified ISO 12312-2 compliant solar eclipse glasses or use a handheld solar viewer. Eclipse glasses allow for the safe viewing of all phases of an annular or partial solar eclipse. The small holes will reflect the sun’s crescent during a partial eclipse or a ring during the annular eclipse.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Mitzi Adams, Alberto Buzzola, you’ll, Kelly Korreck, David Gray, Bill Ingalls Organizations: CNN, NASA, Science, Marshall Space, American Eclipse, American Astronomical Society Locations: North, Central, South America, United States, Oregon, Gulf Coast, Texas, Nevada , Utah, New Mexico, California , Idaho , Colorado, Arizona, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Natal, Brazil, Taiwan, Alaska, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Kerrville , Texas, White Sands , New Mexico

☆ A ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse is coming soon. Here’s what you should know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The annular solar eclipse will begin in the United States at 9:13 a.m. PT (12:13 p.m. When the moon crosses between Earth and the sun during an annular solar eclipse, a signature "ring of fire" of sunlight is still visible. To view the annular eclipse, wear certified eclipse glasses or use a handheld solar viewer. Eclipse glasses are necessary to safely view the entirety of an annular solar eclipse. The next eclipseA total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Mexico, Canada and more than 10 US states on April 8, 2024.

Persons: ”, Peg Luce, Kelly Korreck, “, ” Korreck, “ It’s, Alex Lockwood, you’re, Prince Edward Island, Aroh Barjatya, ” Barjatya Organizations: CNN, Division, NASA, Science, Embry, Riddle Aeronautical University, Amateur Locations: North, Central, South America, United States, Oregon, Texas, Gulf, Oregon , Nevada , Utah, New Mexico, California , Idaho , Colorado, Arizona, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Natal, Brazil, Alaska, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Kirbyville , Texas, White Sands , New Mexico, Canada, Ocean, North America, Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Missouri , Illinois , Kentucky , Indiana , Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York , Vermont , New Hampshire, Maine, Ontario, Quebec , New Brunswick, Prince, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Florida

☆ The sun’s activity is peaking sooner than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Every 11 years or so, the sun experiences periods of low and high solar activity, which is associated with the amount of sunspots on its surface. Over the course of a solar cycle, the sun will transition from a calm to an intense and active period. During the peak of activity, called solar maximum, the sun’s magnetic poles flip. A solar activity spikeThe current solar cycle, known as Solar Cycle 25, has been full of activity, more so than expected. The solar storms generated by the sun can affect electric power grids, GPS and aviation, and satellites in low-Earth orbit.

Persons: ”, Mark Miesch, “, Alex Young, ” Miesch, Scott McIntosh, Robert Leamon, Leamon, Miesch, Young, auroras, Bill Murtagh, ” Murtagh, NASA’s Parker, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Prediction, NASA's Solar Dynamics, NASA, SpaceX, Heliophysics, Goddard Space Flight, GPS, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Goddard Planetary Heliophysics, University of Maryland, College Park, American University, Dynamics, Geological Survey, Probe Locations: Boulder , Colorado, Greenbelt , Maryland, Baltimore County, New Mexico , Missouri, North Carolina, California, United States, England, United Kingdom, Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Scandinavia, Michigan, Upper Midwest, Pacific, Quebec

☆ How to view the rare hybrid eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A hybrid solar eclipse — the first of its kind in nearly 10 years — is on the way. The hybrid eclipse will begin at 10:37 p.m. What makes a hybrid eclipse uniqueOtherwise known as an annular-total eclipse, a hybrid eclipse is a function of Earth’s curvature and the event’s path. During full eclipse, at the very middle of the eclipse path, the antumbral shadow will create an annular eclipse for some and the umbral shadow will create a total eclipse for others. If you live in North, Central or South America, an annular solar eclipse will take place on October 14.

☆ Giant 'holes' dozens of times the size of our planet are appearing on the sun. Here's how they could affect Earth.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Two huge coronal holes, dozen of times the size of the Earth, have appeared on the sun. These coronal holes can spew solar winds at 1.8 million mph toward our planet, which can cause stunning auroras and disrupt satellites. Coronal holes aren't actually holes in the sunA coronal hole rotates across the face of the sun, streaming solar wind towards Earth, February 1, 2017. Coronal holes happen in the "corona," the atmosphere of the sun, and can only be seen in UV or X-ray light. We could see this month's coronal holes again next monthThe coronal hole came into view as the sun rotated.

That caused the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, to make a rare appearance in skies across the US. The colorful lights were seen as far south as Arizona, much further than what was forecast. They normally occur in the Arctic, but powerful eruptions on the sun caused them to stretch as far south as Phoenix, Arizona before sunrise on Friday, according to images shared by photographers and skywatchers on social media. "Most people when they're seeing that far south... they're seeing it on the horizon," Young said. NWS La CrosseAnchorage, AlaskaAuroras in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 24, 2023.

☆ The Northern Lights could dazzle the skies from Washington to New York on Friday, blown by winds from a giant 'hole' on the sun
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Chris Panella | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Northern Lights could appear in the skies over some northern US states on Friday. The lights could be dazzling thanks to solar winds blowing from a giant coronal hole on the sun. NOAA/Space Weather Prediction CenterThese solar winds are coming from a giant coronal hole on the sun. As that giant hole spread across the corona, it blasted strong, high-speed solar winds into space, in the direction of Earth. They have previously driven the aurora lights as far south as New York and Idaho.

The sun is sporting a giant coronal hole that could fit 20-30 Earths across, back-to-back. Coronal holes blast rapid solar winds into space that travel 500-800 kilometers per second. Coronal holes are cooler in temperature, so they don't glow as bright and therefore look black against the rest of the sun. In this case, the solar winds from this coronal hole are scheduled to reach Earth by the end of this week. But coronal holes — even large ones like this — are far less violent.

☆ NASA to name solar scientist as agency's science chief, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - NASA has picked a longtime solar scientist who heads its heliophysics division to become the U.S. space agency's science chief, according two people familiar with the decision. Nicola Fox, former top scientist on the Parker Solar Probe mission studying the sun, will be named this week as NASA's associate administrator for the agency's Science Mission Directorate, said the two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement. Fox will lead NASA's science directorate, a unit with an annual budget of roughly $7 billion that oversees some of the agency's best-known programs from the robotic hunts for past life on Mars to exploring distant galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope. Fox will succeed Thomas Zurbuchen, a Swiss-American astrophysicist who had led the directorate since 2016 before his retirement in December. Sandra Connelly, formerly Zurbuchen's deputy, has been leading the directorate in an acting capacity.

☆ Fact Check-False claims about the sun and clouds at night shared online
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Contrary to online claims, the earth is 93 million miles from the sun, is not flat and there is plenty of night-time footage of the planet taken from space, experts told Reuters. It also says the earth is flat and questions why clouds can’t be seen in nighttime images of the earth taken from space. Orsola de Marco, an astrophysicist at Macquarie University in Sydney, told Reuters that visibility of clouds at night could also depend on camera angle and the light source. Rather than a spacecraft looking directly through a cloud, shooting from an angle makes clouds more visible because more light can be reflected off the clouds, she said. Photos shared by the European Space Station at night showing clouds can be seen (here), (here), and (here).

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