The Sun
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Could we turn the sun into a gigantic telescope?
By Paul Sutter published
Using a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, it might be possible to use the sun as a gigantic telescope to peer deep into space.
Auroras may paint the northern US tonight as Earth reels from 'strong' G3 geomagnetic storm
By Brandon Specktor published
Vibrant auroras could be visible as far south as Oregon and Pennsylvania tonight as Earth reels from a "strong" G3-class geomagnetic storm. However, the nearly full Harvest Moon may complicate viewing opportunities.
Fall equinox 2024: When it is, why it happens and what to look for
By Jamie Carter published
On Sunday, Sept. 22, day and night will be nearly equal in length as Earth spins side-on to the sun and autumn officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere.
A particularly active 'aurora season' could be just weeks away
By Jamie Carter published
September could be a prime time to see vibrant auroras, thanks to a quirk of Earth's tilt that leads to more intense geomagnetic activity around the equinox.
Astronomers discover oldest known eclipse reference in 6,000-year-old Hindu text
By Paul Sutter published
A flowery passage in a 6,000-year-old Hindu text may be the earliest known reference to a solar eclipse, describing the sun as being "pierced" with darkness and gloom and proposing that evil beings had caused the sun's "magic arts to vanish."
Sunspots surge to 23-year high as solar maximum continues to intensify far beyond initial expectations
By Harry Baker published
The average number of visible dark patches on the sun's surface in August was higher than any other month since September 2001. The final count was more than twice as high as experts initially predicted it would be.
Intense solar storm opens '2-way highway' for charged particles, sparking rare auroras on the sun
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Last year, Earth spewed charged particles into the sun in a rare cosmic event that has surprised scientists.
The sun might've just had a record-breaking number of visible sunspots
By Meredith Garofalo published
On Aug. 8, NASA scientists may have spotted a record number of sunspots when hundreds of individual spots were estimated to occur within 24 hours.
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