Scientists have found that "super" solar flares could have warmed the ancient planet and jump-started life.
solar activity
Posted inEditors' Vox
Toward an Understanding of Earth-Affecting Solar Eruptions
Coronal mass ejection forecasting improves with technological developments and increasing availability of data.
Posted inScience Updates
Radiation Belt Processes in a Declining Solar Cycle
The Van Allen Probes began an extended mission in November to advance understanding of Earth's radiation belts.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Satellite Shows Earth's Magnetic Field Bent During a Solar Storm
When solar storms strike, they weaken Earth's defenses against harmful radiation. New satellite measurements reveal just how much.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Sun's Magnetic Fields Best at Forecasting Solar Cycle Peaks
Models based on the Sun's polar magnetic fields performed best in simulating the solar cycle and predicting solar behavior.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Solar Storms Are More Predictable Than Hurricanes
An encouraging new study finds that solar storms don't propagate chaotically like hurricanes—their arrivals are more predictable, which should make it easier for our planet to prepare for them.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New Space Weather Forecast Technique Fails to Improve Forecasts
For years, scientists have proposed upgrading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's solar storm forecasts to account for their tilt as they streak toward Earth. But does it help?
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New Model Predicts Big Solar Proton Storms
Forecasts of dangerous solar events could buy time for astronauts en route to the Moon or Mars.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Electric "Tornadoes" in Space Drive Disturbances Down to Earth
New simulations show how shocks in space can trigger vortexes in Earth's magnetic field, causing magnetic disturbances that are detectable from the ground.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Model of Solar Cycle's Impact on Climate Gets Upgrade
A new model of how the Sun's 11-year cycle affects climate leads to slight changes in model results on atmospheric chemistry, but temperature and wind results are consistent with the previous model.