NASA has chosen a new space project that will help scientists learn how Earth’s atmosphere talks to the space around it. The mission, called DAPHNE (Dynamic Atmosphere‑Ionosphere Explorer), will launch no earlier than 2029. It follows a recommendation from a 2013 report that urged better study
A few northern U. S. states might get a rare late-night light show on Thursday if space weather cooperates. Experts say some areas along the Canadian border could see faint auroras, especially if skies stay clear. Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin fall into this zone, along wi
New Zealand sits in a risky spot when it comes to solar storms. Its long, skinny shape and volcanic ground make the country’s power grid an easy target for electrical surges from space. A strong solar storm could send damaging currents through the network, frying transformers and cutting power for d
A few days before one of the most powerful solar explosions of 2024, the sun showed quiet hints of what was coming. Researchers studying the star’s activity noticed shifts in its outer layer hours before the massive burst of energy erupted. These changes weren’t expected to be so clear, surprising e
Scientists recently uncovered something cool about small, young stars scattered across our galaxy. These stars, called M dwarfs, often host large donut-shaped rings of superhot gas, or plasma, trapped by their magnetic fields. Instead of just being odd cosmic decorations, these rings are actually wo
The sun has been acting up, and that might mean a special light show for some folks in the Carolinas. A big solar flare sent a bunch of charged particles our way. These particles could mess with Earth's magnetic field and create the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. This is a big d
The White House has set its sights on the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a move that could dim the lights on crucial solar science. The administration's target? A facility that's been studying Earth's weather and climate for over six decades, but also plays a key role in understand
Something weird is happening way up in the sky. Earth's magnetic field is acting strange. It's not following the usual rules. Normally, big solar storms cause this kind of fuss. But this time, the sun isn't to blame. Scientists are scratching their heads. The effects are real, though. Bright lights
The sun, our home star, never fails to surprise. Recently, the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter mission captured a stunning sight: a dark, arching structure of plasma, known as a solar prominence, rising from the sun's edge. This isn't just any old space photo; it's a rare glimpse into the sun'
Predicting space weather is no easy task. It's like trying to guess what the weather will be like on Earth, but way more complicated. Scientists have been using some pretty cool methods to make these predictions better. They've been talking about this at big meetings, like the American Geophysical U
