Approaching active sunspot region aiming Earth

Approaching active sunspot region aiming Earth

A significant active region is set to emerge over the sun's northeastern limb. The underlying sunspots are not yet visible from Earth, but the region's towering magnetic canopy is already in view. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) took this picture…

Space weather could wreak havoc in gadget-driven world

Space weather could wreak havoc in gadget-driven world

Advances in modern life have exposed humans to new weaknesses to space weather, which could disrupt communications, crash stock markets and cause months-long power outages, experts warned Saturday.Worst-case scenarios including scorched commercial satellites, GPS

Experts warn: We must take space storms seriously!

Experts warn: We must take space storms seriously!

Space weather could pose serious problems here on Earth in the coming years, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned today.

NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco warned at the annual meeting of the American Association for the

Coronal holes on the farside of the Sun

Coronal holes on the farside of the Sun

For the past week, all eyes have been on the Earth-side of the sun, where sunspots 1158 and 1161-1162 have unleashed some of the strongest flares in years. Meanwhile, the farside of the Sun has been busy, too. Here is the movie from NASA's STEREO-B probe…

Waves of ionization are rippling through Earth’s upper atmosphere

Waves of ionization are rippling through Earth’s upper atmosphere

Fast-growing sunspot complex 1161-1162 erupted on Feb. 18th, producing an M6.6-class solar flare. The almost-X category blast was one of the strongest flares in years and continued the week-long trend of high solar activity. NOAA forecasters estimate a 75% chance of

A solar CME hit Earth’s magnetic field

A solar CME hit Earth’s magnetic field

IMPACT! A CME hit Earth’s magnetic field at approximately 0100 UT on Feb. 18th (8:00 pm EST on Feb. 17th). The impact was not as strong as expected considering the cloud’s

Solar storm displays Northern light in UK

Solar storm displays Northern light in UK

 Britain should experience spectacular Northern Lights displays from Thursday due to a large solar storm which could disrupt communication networks, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said. “Since February 13 three energetic solar flares have erupted on the

Plasma cloud from major X-class solar flare reached Earth

Plasma cloud from major X-class solar flare reached Earth

The CME from strongest solar flare in four years disrupted radio communications in southern China, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

The US space administration NASA confirmed that Monday’s solar flare was the largest in four years,

CME expected to hit later tonight and tomorow

CME expected to hit later tonight and tomorow

A series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) en route to Earth from sunspot 1158 will buffet our planet's magnetic field during the next 24-48 hours. NOAA forecasters estimate a 45% chance of geomagnetic activity on Feb. 17th.

Image credit: NASA / SDO /

Plasma cloud from X2.3 solar flare headed our way

Plasma cloud from X2.3 solar flare headed our way

Plasma cloud from the first X-class solar flare of Solar Cycle 24 (X2.3 on February 15, 2011) is headed our way. It is expected to arrive around February 17. 2011/02/15, at 07:07 UTC – PRESTO-alert: NOAA AR 1158 has produced an X2.3 flare peaking at 01:56 UTC,…